BULL & BEAR FUNDS II INC
NSAR-A, 1998-02-27
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 12/31/97
000 C000000 0000015260
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 BULL & BEAR FUNDS II, INC.
001 B000000 811-2474
001 C000000 2127850900
002 A000000 11 HANOVER SQUARE
002 B000000 NEW YORK
002 C000000 NY
002 D010000 10005
003  000000 N
004  000000 N
005  000000 N
006  000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000  1
007 C010100  1
007 C020100 BULL & BEAR DOLLAR RESERVES
007 C030100 N
007 C010200  2
007 C010300  3
007 C010400  4
007 C010500  5
007 C010600  6
007 C010700  7
007 C010800  8
007 C010900  9
007 C011000 10
008 A00AA01 BULL & BEAR ADVISERS, INC.
008 B00AA01 A
008 C00AA01 801-28329
008 D01AA01 NEW YORK
008 D02AA01 NY
008 D03AA01 10005
011 A00AA01 INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER, INC.
011 B00AA01 8-29751
011 C01AA01 NEW YORK
011 C02AA01 NY
011 C03AA01 10005
012 A00AA01 DST SYSTEMS, INC.
012 B00AA01 84-00448
012 C01AA01 KANSAS CITY
012 C02AA01 MO
012 C03AA01 64105
013 A00AA01 TAIT, WELLER & BAKER
<PAGE>      PAGE  2
013 B01AA01 PHILADELPHIA
013 B02AA01 PA
013 B03AA01 19102
014 A00AA01 BULL & BEAR SECURITIES, INC.
014 B00AA01 8-31732
015 A00AA01 INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA01 C
015 C01AA01 KANSAS CITY
015 C02AA01 MO
015 C03AA01 64105
015 E01AA01 X
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020 C000008      0
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022 A000001 NATIONS BANK
022 B000001 ----------
022 C000001     36725
022 D000001      2197
022 A000002 BZW SECURITIES INC.
022 B000002 13-3551367
022 C000002     31486
022 D000002      2499
022 A000003 ZIONS NATIONAL BANK
022 B000003 ----------
022 C000003     16444
022 D000003         0
022 A000004 CS FIRST BOSTON CORP.
022 B000004 ----------
022 C000004     15446
022 D000004         0
022 A000005 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
022 B000005 13-5108880
022 C000005      9817
022 D000005       899
022 A000006 LEHMAN BROTHERS
022 B000006 13-2518466
022 C000006      9570
022 D000006         0
022 A000007 RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
022 B000007 ----------
022 C000007      8402
022 D000007         0
022 A000008 SEATTLE NORTHWEST SECURITIES CORP.
022 B000008 91-1172183
022 C000008      8067
022 D000008         0
022 A000009 PAINE WEBBER
022 B000009 13-2638166
022 C000009      4345
022 D000009       749
022 A000010 DRESNER CO.
022 B000010 13-6172414
022 C000010      3951
022 D000010         0
023 C000000     151362
023 D000000       8744
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<PAGE>      PAGE  4
054 O00AA00 N
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059  00AA00 Y
060 A00AA00 Y
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077 A000000 Y
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080 A00AA00 ICI MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
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<PAGE>      PAGE  5
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<PAGE>      PAGE  6
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<PAGE>      PAGE  7
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<PAGE>      PAGE  8
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<PAGE>      PAGE  9
SIGNATURE   JOSEPH LEUNG                                 
TITLE       TREASURER           
 


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            6
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Bull &
Bear Dollar Reserves Semi-Annual Report and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>    0000015260                     
<NAME>   Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.                     
<SERIES> 
   <NUMBER> 001                  
   <NAME>   Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves Fund                 
<MULTIPLIER>         1
<CURRENCY>         U.S. Dollar
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-Mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Jun-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jul-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   Dec-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>               1.000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          60,955,910
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         60,955,910
<RECEIVABLES>                                     687,334
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     47,837
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 61,691,081
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                         101,187
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                               101,187
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                         0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       61,597,617
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          61,547,885
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          62,838,416
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                               0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                  0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            (7,723)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                0
<NET-ASSETS>                                   61,589,894
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                       0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               1,776,582
<OTHER-INCOME>                                          0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    255,642
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         1,520,940
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                              854
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                               0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           1,521,794
<EQUALIZATION>                                          0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       1,549,290
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        26,095,222
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    28,898,004
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             1,521,251
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         (1,318,027)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                          (8,576)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                              0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                             158,450
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   372,368
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           62,863,415
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                       .025
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                  .025
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                       .81
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                  0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0.00
        


</TABLE>


      FORM OF
                   CUSTODY AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT


         THIS  AGREEMENT  made the  25th  day of  April,  1997,  by and  between
INVESTORS  FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY,  a trust company chartered under the laws of
the state of Missouri,  having its trust office located at l27 West 10th Street,
Kansas  City,  Missouri  64105  ("Custodian"),  and each  registered  investment
company listed on Exhibit A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time, each
a having its principal  office and place of business at 11 Hanover  Square,  New
York, NY 10005 (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, each Fund desires to appoint Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
as custodian of the  securities and monies of such Fund's  investment  portfolio
and as its agent to perform  certain  investment  accounting  and  recordkeeping
functions; and
         WHEREAS, Investors Fiduciary Trust Company is willing to accept such
appointment;
         NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises 
contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually 
covenant and agree as follows:
1.       APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN.  Each Fund hereby constitutes and appoints
         Custodian as:
         A.      Custodian of the securities and monies at any time owned by the
                 Fund; and
         B.       Agent  to  perform   certain   accounting  and   recordkeeping
                  functions  relating to  portfolio  transactions  required of a
                  duly  registered  investment  company  under  Rule  31a of the
                  Investment  Company  Act  of  1940  (the  "1940  Act")  and to
                  calculate the net asset value of the Fund.
2.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
         A. Each Fund hereby represents, warrants and acknowledges to Custodian:
              1.    That it is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
                    good standing under the laws of its state of organization, 
                    and that it is registered under the 1940 Act; and
              2.       That it has the requisite  power and authority  under
                       applicable law, its articles of incorporation and its
                       bylaws  to enter  into  this  Agreement;  that it has
                       taken  all  requisite  action  necessary  to  appoint
                       Custodian as custodian and investment  accounting and
                       recordkeeping agent for the Fund; that this

                                        1

<PAGE>



                           Agreement  has been duly  executed  and  delivered by
                           Fund;  and that this  Agreement  constitutes a legal,
                           valid and binding obligation of Fund,  enforceable in
                           accordance with its terms.
         B.       Custodian hereby represents,  warrants and acknowledges to the
                  Funds: 
                    1.  That  it is a trust  company  duly  organized  and
                        existing and in good standing under the laws of the 
                        State of Missouri; and
                    2.     That it has the requisite power and authority under 
                           applicable
                           law,  its  charter  and its  bylaws to enter into and
                           perform this Agreement;  that this Agreement has been
                           duly executed and  delivered by  Custodian;  and that
                           this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
                           obligation  of Custodian,  enforceable  in accordance
                           with its terms.
3.       DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CUSTODIAN.
         A.       Delivery of Assets
                  Except as permitted by the 1940 Act, each Fund will deliver or
                  cause to be delivered to  Custodian on the  effective  date of
                  this Agreement, or as soon thereafter as practicable, and from
                  time to time thereafter,  all portfolio securities acquired by
                  it and  monies  then  owned by it or from time to time  coming
                  into its  possession  during  the time  this  Agreement  shall
                  continue in effect.  Custodian shall have no responsibility or
                  liability whatsoever for or on account of securities or monies
                  not so delivered.
         B.       Delivery of Accounts and Records
                  Each  Fund  shall  turn  over or  cause to be  turned  over to
                  Custodian  all of the Fund's  relevant  accounts  and  records
                  previously  maintained.  Custodian  shall be  entitled to rely
                  conclusively  on  the  completeness  and  correctness  of  the
                  accounts  and  records  turned over to it, and each Fund shall
                  indemnify and hold Custodian  harmless of and from any and all
                  expenses,  damages and losses whatsoever  arising out of or in
                  connection  with  any  error,  omission,  inaccuracy  or other
                  deficiency  of such  Fund's  accounts  and  records  or in the
                  failure  of such Fund to  provide,  or to  provide in a timely
                  manner,  any accounts,  records or  information  needed by the
                  Custodian to perform its functions hereunder.
         C.       Delivery of Assets to Third Parties
                  Custodian will receive  delivery of and keep safely the assets
                  of each Fund delivered to it from time to time segregated in a
                  separate  account,  and if any Fund is  comprised of more than
                  one portfolio of investment  securities  (each a  "Portfolio")
                  Custodian shall keep the

                                        2

<PAGE>



                  assets of each  Portfolio  segregated  in a separate  account.
                  Custodian will not deliver,  assign, pledge or hypothecate any
                  such  assets  to  any  person   except  as  permitted  by  the
                  provisions of this  Agreement or any agreement  executed by it
                  according to the terms of Section 3.S. of this Agreement. Upon
                  delivery  of any such  assets to a  subcustodian  pursuant  to
                  Section  3.S.  of this  Agreement,  Custodian  will create and
                  maintain  records  identifying  those  assets  which have been
                  delivered to the  subcustodian  as belonging to the applicable
                  Fund, by Portfolio if applicable. The Custodian is responsible
                  for the  safekeeping of the securities and monies of the Funds
                  only until they have been transmitted to and received by other
                  persons as permitted under the terms of this Agreement, except
                  for  securities  and  monies   transmitted  to   subcustodians
                  appointed  under  Section  3.S. of this  Agreement,  for which
                  Custodian  remains  responsible  to  the  extent  provided  in
                  Section 3.S.  hereof.  Custodian may  participate  directly or
                  indirectly  through a  subcustodian  in the  Depository  Trust
                  Company (DTC), Treasury/Federal Reserve Book Entry System (Fed
                  System),  Participant  Trust Company (PTC) or other depository
                  approved by the Funds (as such  entities are defined at 17 CFR
                  Section  270.17f-4(b))  (each a "Depository" and collectively,
                  the "Depositories").


                                        3

<PAGE>



         D.       Registration of Securities
                  The Custodian shall at all times hold registered securities of
                  the Funds in the name of the Custodian,  the applicable  Fund,
                  or a nominee of either of them, unless  specifically  directed
                  by  instructions   to  hold  such  registered   securities  in
                  so-called "street name," provided that, in any event, all such
                  securities and other assets shall be held in an account of the
                  Custodian  containing  only assets of the applicable  Fund, or
                  only assets held by the  Custodian as a fiduciary or custodian
                  for customers,  and provided further,  that the records of the
                  Custodian  at all  times  shall  indicate  the  Fund or  other
                  customer for which such  securities  and other assets are held
                  in such  account and the  respective  interests  therein.  If,
                  however, any Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities
                  in "street name", notwithstanding anything contained herein to
                  the contrary, the Custodian shall be obligated only to utilize
                  its best efforts to timely collect income due the Fund on such
                  securities  and to  notify  the  Fund  of  relevant  corporate
                  actions  including,  without  limitation,  pendency  of calls,
                  maturities, tender or exchange offers. All securities, and the
                  ownership  thereof by the applicable  Fund,  which are held by
                  Custodian   hereunder,   however,   shall  at  all   times  be
                  identifiable on the records of the Custodian. Each Fund agrees
                  to hold  Custodian and its nominee  harmless for any liability
                  as a shareholder of record of its securities held in custody.
         E.       Exchange of Securities
                  Upon receipt of instructions as defined herein in Section 4.A,
                  Custodian will exchange,  or cause to be exchanged,  portfolio
                  securities  held by it for the  account  of a Fund  for  other
                  securities  or cash  issued  or paid in  connection  with  any
                  reorganization,   recapitalization,   merger,   consolidation,
                  split-up  of  shares,  change  of  par  value,  conversion  or
                  otherwise,  and will deposit any such securities in accordance
                  with  the  terms of any  reorganization  or  protective  plan.
                  Without  instructions,  Custodian  is  authorized  to exchange
                  securities  held by it in  temporary  form for  securities  in
                  definitive  form, to effect an exchange of shares when the par
                  value of the stock is changed,  and,  upon  receiving  payment
                  therefor, to surrender bonds or other securities held by it at
                  maturity  or when  advised  of  earlier  call for  redemption,
                  except that  Custodian  shall  receive  instructions  prior to
                  surrendering any convertible security.
         F.       Purchases of Investments of a Fund - Other Than Options and 
                  Futures

                                        4

<PAGE>



                  Each Fund will,  on each  business  day on which a purchase of
                  securities  (other than options and futures)  shall be made by
                  it, deliver to Custodian instructions which shall specify with
                  respect to each such purchase:  1. If applicable,  the name of
                  the Portfolio making such purchase;  2. The name of the issuer
                  and  description of the security;  3. The number of shares and
                  the principal amount purchased, and
                           accrued interest, if any;
                  4.       The trade date;
                  5.       The settlement date;
                  6.   The purchase price per unit and the brokerage commission,
                       taxes and other expenses payable in connection with the
                       purchase;
                  7. The total amount payable upon such purchase; 
                  8. The name of the person from whom or the broker or dealer
                     through whom the purchase was made; and
                  9. Whether the security is to be received in certificated form
                     or via a specified Depository.
                  In accordance with such  instructions,  Custodian will pay for
                  out of monies held for the account of the applicable Fund, but
                  only insofar as such monies are  available  for such  purpose,
                  and receive the  portfolio  securities  so purchased by or for
                  the account of the applicable Fund,  except that Custodian may
                  in its sole  discretion  advance  funds to the Fund  which may
                  result  in  an  overdraft  because  the  monies  held  by  the
                  Custodian  on behalf of the Fund are  insufficient  to pay the
                  total amount payable upon such  purchase.  Except as otherwise
                  instructed by the applicable  Fund, such payment shall be made
                  by the Custodian only upon receipt of  securities:  (a) by the
                  Custodian;  (b)  by  a  clearing  corporation  of  a  national
                  exchange  of which  the  Custodian  is a  member;  or (c) by a
                  Depository.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in the case of
                  a repurchase  agreement,  the Custodian may release funds to a
                  Depository  prior to the receipt of advice from the Depository
                  that the securities  underlying such repurchase agreement have
                  been  transferred  by book-entry  into the account  maintained
                  with  such  Depository  by the  Custodian,  on  behalf  of its
                  customers,  provided that the Custodian's  instructions to the
                  Depository  require that the  Depository  make payment of such
                  funds  only upon  transfer  by  book-entry  of the  securities
                  underlying the repurchase agreement in such account; (ii)

                                        5

<PAGE>



                  in the case of time deposits, call account deposits,  currency
                  deposits and other deposits,  foreign  exchange  transactions,
                  futures  contracts or options,  the Custodian may make payment
                  therefor   before   receipt  of  an  advice  or   confirmation
                  evidencing  said deposit or entry into such  transaction;  and
                  (iii)  in  the  case  of  the  purchase  of  securities,   the
                  settlement  of which  occurs  outside of the United  States of
                  America,  the  Custodian  may  make,  or cause a  subcustodian
                  appointed  pursuant to Section  3.S.2.  of this  Agreement  to
                  make,  payment therefor in accordance with generally  accepted
                  local custom and market practice.
         G.       Sales and Deliveries of Investments of a Fund - Other Than 
                  Options and Futures Each Fund will, on each business day on 
                  which a sale of investment securities (other than options and 
                  futures) of such Fund has been made, deliver to Custodian
                  instructions specifying with respect to each such sale:
                1.   If applicable, the name of the Portfolio making such sale;
                2.   The name of the issuer and description of the securities;
                3.   The number of shares and principal amount sold, and accrued
                     interest, if any;
                4.   The date on which the securities sold were purchased or 
                     other information identifying the securities sold and to be
                     delivered;
                5.   The trade date; 
                6.   The settlement date;
                7.   The sale price per unit and the brokerage commission, taxes
                     or other expenses payable in connection with such sale;
                8.   The total amount to be received by Fund upon such sale; and
                9.   The name and address of the broker or dealer  through  whom
                     or person to whom the sale was made.
                  In accordance with such  instructions,  Custodian will deliver
                  or cause to be delivered  the  securities  thus  designated as
                  sold for the account of the  applicable  Fund to the broker or
                  other person  specified in the  instructions  relating to such
                  sale.  Except as otherwise  instructed by the applicable Fund,
                  such  delivery  shall be made upon  receipt  of:  (a)  payment
                  therefor in such form as is satisfactory to the Custodian; (b)
                  credit  to the  account  of  the  Custodian  with  a  clearing
                  corporation  of a national  securities  exchange  of which the
                  Custodian is a member; or (c) credit to the

                                        6

<PAGE>



                  account of the Custodian,  on behalf of its customers,  with a
                  Depository.  Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) in the case of
                  securities  held in physical form,  such  securities  shall be
                  delivered in  accordance  with "street  delivery  custom" to a
                  broker or its clearing  agent; or (ii) in the case of the sale
                  of  securities,  the settlement of which occurs outside of the
                  United  States of America,  the Custodian may make, or cause a
                  subcustodian  appointed  pursuant  to Section  3.S.2.  of this
                  Agreement to make,  such  delivery  upon  payment  therefor in
                  accordance  with  generally  accepted  local custom and market
                  practice.
         H.       Purchases or Sales of Options and Futures
                  Each Fund will,  on each  business  day on which a purchase or
                  sale of the following  options and/or futures shall be made by
                  it, deliver to Custodian instructions which shall specify with
                  respect to each such purchase or sale: 1. If  applicable,  the
                  name of the Portfolio making such purchase
                           or sale;
                  2.       Security Options
                           a.       The underlying security;
                           b.       The price at which purchased or sold;
                           c.       The expiration date;
                           d.       The number of contracts;
                           e.       The exercise price;
                           f.       Whether the transaction is an opening,
                                    exercising, expiring or closing transaction;
                           g. Whether the transaction involves a put or call; h.
                           Whether the option is written or purchased; i. Market
                           on which  option  traded;  and j. Name and address of
                           the broker or dealer through whom
                                    the sale or purchase was made.
                  3.       Options on Indices
                           a.       The index;
                           b.       The price at which purchased or sold;
                           c.       The exercise price;
                           d.       The premium;
                           e.       The multiple;
                           f.       The expiration date;
                           g.       Whether the transaction is an opening, 
                                    exercising, expiring or closing transaction;

                                        7

<PAGE>



                        h.      Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
                        i.      Whether the option is written or purchased; and
                        j.      The name and address of the broker or dealer 
                                through whom the sale or purchase was made, or
                                other applicable settlement instructions.
                  4.    Security Index Futures Contracts
                        a.      The last trading date specified in the contract 
                                and, when available, the closing level, thereof;
                        b.      The index level on the date the contract is 
                                entered into;
                        c.       The multiple;
                           d.       Any margin requirements;
                           e.       The need for a segregated margin account (in
                                    addition to instructions, and if not already
                                    in the  possession of Custodian,  Fund shall
                                    deliver   a   substantially   complete   and
                                    executed custodial  safekeeping  account and
                                    procedural    agreement   which   shall   be
                                    incorporated  by reference into this Custody
                                    Agreement); and
                           f.       The  name  and   address   of  the   futures
                                    commission merchant through whom the sale or
                                    purchase  was  made,  or  other   applicable
                                    settlement instructions.
                  5.       Options on Index Future  Contracts 
                           a. The  underlying index  future  contract;   
                           b.  The  premium;  
                           c.  The expiration  date;  
                           d. The number of  options;  
                           e. The exercise price;  
                           f. Whether the transaction  involves an opening, 
                              exercising, expiring or closing transaction;
                           g.  Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
                           h.  Whether the option is written or purchased; and
                           i.  The market on which the option is traded.
         I.      Securities Pledged or Loaned
                 If specifically allowed for in the prospectus of the applicable
                 Fund, and subject to such additional terms and conditions as
                 Custodian may require:
                  1.    Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will release or 
                        cause to be released securities held in custody to the 
                        pledgee designated in such instructions by way of pledge
                        or

                                        8

<PAGE>



                           hypothecation  to secure  any loan  incurred  by such
                           Fund; provided, however, that the securities shall be
                           released only upon payment to Custodian of the monies
                           borrowed,  except  that  in  cases  where  additional
                           collateral is required to secure a borrowing  already
                           made, further securities may be released or caused to
                           be  released   for  that   purpose  upon  receipt  of
                           instructions. Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian
                           will pay,  but only  from  funds  available  for such
                           purpose,  any such loan upon  redelivery to it of the
                           securities pledged or hypothecated  therefor and upon
                           surrender of the note or notes evidencing such loan.
                  2.       Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will release
                           securities held in custody to the borrower designated
                           in such instructions; provided, however, that the 
                           securities will be released only upon deposit with 
                           Custodian of full cash collateral as specified in 
                           such instructions, and that such Fund will retain the
                           right to any dividends, interest or distribution on 
                           such loaned securities.  Upon receipt of instructions
                           and the loaned securities, Custodian will release
                           the cash collateral to the borrower.
         J.       Routine Matters
                  Custodian  will,  in  general,   attend  to  all  routine  and
                  mechanical  matters  in  connection  with the sale,  exchange,
                  substitution,  purchase,  transfer,  or  other  dealings  with
                  securities  or other  property  of the Funds  except as may be
                  otherwise  provided in this Agreement or directed from time to
                  time by the applicable Fund in writing.
         K.       Deposit Accounts
                  Custodian  will open and maintain one or more special  purpose
                  deposit  accounts  for  each  Fund in the  name  of  Custodian
                  ("Accounts"), subject only to draft or order by Custodian upon
                  receipt of instructions. All monies received by Custodian from
                  or for the  account  of any  Fund  shall be  deposited  in the
                  appropriate Accounts. Barring events not in the control of the
                  Custodian such as strikes,  lockouts or labor disputes, riots,
                  war or  equipment  or  transmission  failure or damage,  fire,
                  flood,  earthquake  or  other  natural  disaster,   action  or
                  inaction of governmental  authority or other causes beyond its
                  control,  at  9:00  a.m.,  Kansas  City  time,  on the  second
                  business day after deposit of any check into an Account,

                                        9

<PAGE>



                  Custodian agrees to make Fed Funds available to the applicable
                  Fund in the  amount of the  check.  Deposits  made by  Federal
                  Reserve wire will be available to the Fund immediately and ACH
                  wires will be available to the Fund on the next  business day.
                  Income earned on the portfolio  securities will be credited to
                  the Fund  based on the  schedule  attached  as  Exhibit A. The
                  Custodian  will be entitled to reverse  any  credited  amounts
                  where  credits  have  been  made and  monies  are not  finally
                  collected.  If monies are collected  after such reversal,  the
                  Custodian  will credit the Fund in that amount.  Custodian may
                  open and maintain Accounts in such banks or trust companies as
                  may be designated by it or by the applicable  Fund in writing,
                  all such Accounts, however, to be in the name of Custodian and
                  subject  only to its draft or order.  Funds  received and held
                  for the account of different Portfolios shall be maintained in
                  separate Accounts established for each Portfolio.
         
     L.       Income and Other Payments to the Funds
              Custodian will:
              1.  Collect, claim and receive and deposit for the account of the
                  applicable Fund all income and other payments which become due
                  and payable on or after the effective date of this Agreement
                  with respect to the securities deposited under this Agreement,
                  and credit the account of such Fund in accordance with the
                  schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A.  If, for any reason,
                  the Fund is credited with income that is not subsequently
                  collected, Custodian may reverse that credited amount.
              2.  Execute   ownership   and  other   certificates   and
                  affidavits  for all  federal,  state  and  local  tax
                  purposes in  connection  with the  collection of bond
                  and note coupons; and
              3.  Take such other  action as may be necessary or proper
                  in connection  with: 
                    a. the  collection,  receipt and
                       deposit of such income and
                       other payments, including but not limited to the
                       presentation for payment of:
                       1.      all coupons and other income items requiring
                               presentation; and
                       2.      all other securities which may mature or be
                               called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
                               payable and regarding which the Custodian has

                                       10

<PAGE>



                              actual knowledge, or should reasonably be
                              expected to have knowledge; and
                             b.   the endorsement for collection, in the name of
                                  the applicable Fund, of all checks, drafts or
                                  other negotiable instruments.
                  Custodian,  however, will not be required to institute suit or
                  take other  extraordinary  action to enforce collection except
                  upon receipt of instructions and upon being indemnified to its
                  satisfaction  against  the costs and  expenses of such suit or
                  other actions.  Custodian will receive,  claim and collect all
                  stock dividends,  rights and other similar items and will deal
                  with the same pursuant to instructions.
         M.  Payment of Dividends and Other Distributions
             On the declaration of any dividend or other distribution on the
             shares of capital stock of any Fund("Fund Shares") by the Board of
             Directors of such Fund, such Fund shall deliver to Custodian
             instructions with respect thereto.  On the date specified in such
             instructions for the payment of such dividend or other distribution
             ,Custodian will pay out of the monies held for the account of such
             Fund, insofar as the same shall be available for such purposes, and
             credit to the account of the Dividend Disbursing Agent for such
             Fund, such amount as may be specified in such instructions.
         N.       Shares of a Fund Purchased by Such Fund
                  Whenever  any Fund  Shares are  repurchased  or  redeemed by a
                  Fund,  such Fund or its agent shall  advise  Custodian  of the
                  aggregate  dollar  amount to be paid for such shares and shall
                  confirm  such advice in writing.  Upon receipt of such advice,
                  Custodian  shall charge such  aggregate  dollar  amount to the
                  account  of such  Fund  and  either  deposit  the  same in the
                  account   maintained   for  the  purpose  of  paying  for  the
                  repurchase or redemption of Fund Shares or deliver the same in
                  accordance with such advice. Custodian shall not have any duty
                  or  responsibility  to  determine  that Fund  Shares have been
                  removed  from the proper  shareholder  account or  accounts or
                  that the proper number of Fund Shares have been  cancelled and
                  removed from the shareholder records.
         O.       Shares of a Fund Purchased from Such Fund
                  Whenever  Fund Shares are purchased  from any Fund,  such Fund
                  will  deposit  or cause to be  deposited  with  Custodian  the
                  amount received for such shares.  Custodian shall not have any
                  duty or

                                       11

<PAGE>



                  responsibility  to determine  that Fund Shares  purchased from
                  any Fund have been added to the proper shareholder  account or
                  accounts  or that the proper  number of such  shares have been
                  added to the shareholder records.
         P.       Proxies and Notices
                  Custodian  will promptly  deliver or mail or have delivered or
                  mailed to the applicable Fund all proxies properly signed, all
                  notices of meetings,  all proxy  statements and other notices,
                  requests or announcements  affecting or relating to securities
                  held by  Custodian  for such Fund and will,  upon  receipt  of
                  instructions,  execute  and  deliver  or cause its  nominee to
                  execute and deliver or mail or have  delivered  or mailed such
                  proxies or other authorizations as may be required.  Except as
                  provided  by  this  Agreement  or  pursuant  to   instructions
                  hereafter  received by  Custodian,  neither it nor its nominee
                  will  exercise  any  power  inherent  in any such  securities,
                  including  any power to vote the same,  or execute  any proxy,
                  power of attorney,  or other similar  instrument voting any of
                  such securities,  or give any consent, approval or waiver with
                  respect thereto, or take any other similar action.
         Q.       Disbursements
                  Custodian  will pay or cause to be paid,  insofar as funds are
                  available  for  the  purpose,   bills,  statements  and  other
                  obligations  of  each  Fund  (including  but  not  limited  to
                  obligations  in connection  with the  conversion,  exchange or
                  surrender of securities owned by such Fund,  interest charges,
                  dividend  disbursements,  taxes,  management  fees,  custodian
                  fees,  legal fees,  auditors'  fees,  transfer  agents'  fees,
                  brokerage  commissions,  compensation to personnel,  and other
                  operating  expenses of such Fund) pursuant to  instructions of
                  such Fund setting forth the name of the person to whom payment
                  is to be made,  the amount of the payment,  and the purpose of
                  the payment.
         R.       Daily Statement of Accounts
                  Custodian will,  within a reasonable time, render to each Fund
                  a detailed  statement  of the amounts  received or paid and of
                  securities  received or delivered  for the account of the Fund
                  during each business day.  Custodian  will, from time to time,
                  upon request by any Fund,  render a detailed  statement of the
                  securities and monies held for such Fund under this Agreement,
                  and  Custodian  will  maintain  such books and  records as are
                  necessary to enable it to do so.

                                       12

<PAGE>



                  Custodian  will permit such persons as are  authorized  by any
                  Fund,  including such Fund's independent  public  accountants,
                  reasonable  access to such records or will provide  reasonable
                  confirmation of the contents of such records, and if demanded,
                  Custodian will permit federal and state regulatory agencies to
                  examine the  securities,  books and records.  Upon the written
                  instructions  of any Fund or as  demanded  by federal or state
                  regulatory agencies,  Custodian will instruct any subcustodian
                  to  permit  such  persons  as are  authorized  by  such  Fund,
                  including   such  Fund's   independent   public   accountants,
                  reasonable  access to such  records or to  provide  reasonable
                  confirmation  of the contents of such  records,  and to permit
                  such  agencies  to examine the books,  records and  securities
                  held by such subcustodian which relate to such Fund.
         S.       Appointment of Subcustodians
             
            1.    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, all or
                  any of the monies or securities of the Funds may be held in
                  Custodian's own custody or in the custody of one or more other
                  banks or trust companies acting as subcustodians as may be
                  selected by Custodian.  Any such subcustodian selected by the
                  Custodian must have the qualifications required for a
                  custodian under the 1940 Act, as amended.  Custodian shall be
                  responsible to the applicable Fund for any loss, damage or
                  expense suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from the
                  actions or omissions of any subcustodians selected and
                  appointed by Custodian (except subcustodians appointed at the
                  request of the Fund and as provided in Subsection 2 below) to
                  the same extent Custodian would be responsible to the Fund
                  under Section 5. of this Agreement if it committed the act or
                  omission itself.  Upon request of any Fund, Custodian shall be
                  willing to contract with other subcustodians reasonably
                  acceptable to the Custodian for purposes of (i) effecting
                  third-party repurchase transactions with banks, brokers,
                  dealers, or other entities through the use of a common
                  custodian or subcustodian, or (ii) providing depository and
                  clearing agency services with respect to certain variable rate
                  demand note securities, or (iii) for other reasonable purposes
                  specified by such Fund; provided, however, that the Custodian
                  shall be responsible to the Fund for any loss, damage or
                  expense suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from the

                                       13

<PAGE>



                           actions or omissions of any such subcustodian only to
                           the same extent such  subcustodian  is responsible to
                           the  Custodian.  The Fund shall be entitled to review
                           the Custodian's contracts with any such subcustodians
                           appointed   at  its  request.   Custodian   shall  be
                           responsible  to the  applicable  Fund  for any  loss,
                           damage or expense  suffered  or  incurred by the Fund
                           resulting  from  the  actions  or  omissions  of  any
                           Depository only to the same extent such Depository is
                           responsible to Custodian.
          
           2.     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, each
                  Fund's foreign securities (as defined in Rule 17f-5(c)(1)
                  under the 1940 Act) and each Fund's cash or cash equivalents,
                  in amounts deemed by the Fund to be reasonably necessary to
                  effect Fund's foreign securities transactions, may be held in
                  the custody of one or more banks or trust companies acting as
                  subcustodians, and thereafter, pursuant to a written contract
                  or contracts as approved by such Fund's Board of Directors,
                  may be transferred to accounts maintained by any such
                  subcustodian with eligible foreign custodians, as defined in
                  Rule 17f-5(c)(2).  Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund
                  for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the
                  Fund resulting from the actions or omissions of any foreign
                  subcustodian only to the same extent the foreign subcustodian
                  is liable to the domestic subcustodian with which the
                  Custodian contracts for foreign subcustody purposes.
         T.       Accounts and Records
                  Custodian will prepare and maintain, with the direction and as
                  interpreted  by  each  Fund,  its  accountants   and/or  other
                  advisors, in complete,  accurate and current form all accounts
                  and records (i)  required to be  maintained  by such Fund with
                  respect to portfolio  transactions  under Rule 31a of the 1940
                  Act, (ii) required to be maintained as a basis for calculation
                  of such Fund's net asset value,  and (iii) as otherwise agreed
                  upon between the parties. Custodian will preserve said records
                  in the manner and for the periods  prescribed  in the 1940 Act
                  or for such longer  period as is agreed  upon by the  parties.
                  Custodian relies upon each Fund to furnish,  in writing or its
                  electronic   or  digital   equivalent,   accurate  and  timely
                  information  needed  by  Custodian  to  complete  such  Fund's
                  records and perform daily calculation of such Fund's net

                                       14

<PAGE>



                  asset value.  Custodian shall incur no liability and each Fund
                  shall  indemnify and hold harmless  Custodian from and against
                  any liability arising from any failure of such Fund to furnish
                  such information in a timely and accurate manner, even if such
                  Fund subsequently  provides accurate but untimely information.
                  It  shall  be the  responsibility  of  each  Fund  to  furnish
                  Custodian with the  declaration,  record and payment dates and
                  amounts  of any  dividends  or income  and any  other  special
                  actions  required  concerning each of its securities when such
                  information is not readily  available from generally  accepted
                  securities industry services or publications.
         U.       Accounts and Records Property of the Funds
                  Custodian acknowledges that all of the accounts and records
                  maintained by Custodian pursuant to this Agreement are the 
                  property of the applicable Fund, and will be made available to
                  such Fund for inspection or reproduction within a reasonable 
                  period of time, upon demand.  Custodian will assist any Fund's
                  independent auditors, or upon approval of the Fund, or upon 
                  demand, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the 
                  Fund's accounts and records but shall be reimbursed by the 
                  Fund for all expenses and employee time invested in any such 
                  review outside of routine and normal periodic reviews.
                  Upon receipt from any Fund of the necessary information or
                  instructions, Custodian will supply information from the books
                  and records it maintains for such Fund that the Fund needs for
                  tax returns, questionnaires, periodic reports to shareholders 
                  and such other reports and information requests as such Fund 
                  and Custodian shall agree upon from time to time.
         V.       Adoption of Procedures
                  Custodian and each Fund may from time to time adopt procedures
                  as they agree upon, and Custodian may conclusively assume that
                  no procedure approved or directed by a Fund or its accountants
                  or other advisors  conflicts with or violates any requirements
                  of its  prospectus,  articles of  incorporation,  bylaws,  any
                  applicable  law, rule or regulation,  or any order,  decree or
                  agreement  by which such Fund may be bound.  Each Fund will be
                  responsible  to notify  Custodian  of any changes in statutes,
                  regulations,  rules,  requirements  or  policies  which  might
                  necessitate   changes  in  Custodian's   responsibilities   or
                  procedures.
         W.       Calculation of Net Asset Value

                                       15

<PAGE>



                  Custodian  will  calculate  each  Fund's net asset  value,  in
                  accordance with such Fund's  prospectus.  Custodian will price
                  the securities and foreign currency  holdings of each Fund for
                  which market  quotations  are  available by the use of outside
                  services  designated  by such Fund which are normally used and
                  contracted  with for this purpose;  all other  securities  and
                  foreign  currency  holdings will be priced in accordance  with
                  such   Fund's    instructions.    Custodian   will   have   no
                  responsibility  for the accuracy of the prices quoted by these
                  outside  services or for the information  supplied by any Fund
                  or for acting upon such instructions.


                                       16

<PAGE>



         X.       Advances
                  In the event Custodian or any subcustodian  shall, in its sole
                  discretion,   advance  cash  or  securities  for  any  purpose
                  (including but not limited to securities settlements, purchase
                  or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange  contracts and
                  assumed  settlement)  for the benefit of any Fund or Portfolio
                  thereof,  the advance shall be payable by the applicable  Fund
                  or Portfolio on demand. Any such cash advance shall be subject
                  to  an  overdraft   charge  at  the  rate  set  forth  in  the
                  then-current  fee schedule  from the date  advanced  until the
                  date  repaid.  As security  for each such  advance,  each Fund
                  hereby grants  Custodian and such  subcustodian  a lien on and
                  security  interest  in all  property  at any time held for the
                  account of the Fund or applicable Portfolio, including without
                  limitation  all  assets  acquired  with the  amount  advanced.
                  Should  the Fund  fail to  promptly  repay  the  advance,  the
                  Custodian and such  subcustodian  shall be entitled to utilize
                  available  cash and to dispose of such  Fund's or  Portfolio's
                  assets  pursuant to applicable law to the extent  necessary to
                  obtain  reimbursement  of the amount  advanced and any related
                  overdraft charges.
         Y.       Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers
                  Upon receipt of instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver
                  warrants,  puts,  calls,  rights or similar  securities to the
                  issuer or trustee  thereof,  or to the agent of such issuer or
                  trustee,  for the purpose of exercise or sale,  provided  that
                  the new  securities,  cash or other assets,  if any, are to be
                  delivered to the Custodian;  and (b) deposit  securities  upon
                  invitations   for   tenders   thereof,   provided   that   the
                  consideration  for such  securities is to be paid or delivered
                  to the Custodian or the tendered securities are to be returned
                  to the Custodian.
4.       INSTRUCTIONS.
       A.   The term "instructions", as used herein, means written (including
            telecopied or telexed) or oral instructions which Custodian
            reasonably believes were given by a designated representative of any
            Fund.  Each Fund shall deliver to Custodian, prior to delivery of
            any assets to Custodian and thereafter from time to time as changes
            therein are necessary, written instructions naming one or more
            designated representatives to give instructions in the name and on
            behalf of such Fund, which instructions may be received and accepted
            by Custodian as conclusive evidence of the authority of any

                                       17

<PAGE>



                  designated  representative  to act for  such  Fund  and may be
                  considered to be in full force and effect (and  Custodian will
                  be fully  protected  in  acting  in  reliance  thereon)  until
                  receipt by  Custodian of notice to the  contrary.  Unless such
                  written  instructions  delegating  authority  to any person to
                  give  instructions   specifically   limit  such  authority  to
                  specific  matters or require  that the approval of anyone else
                  will  first  have been  obtained,  Custodian  will be under no
                  obligation  to inquire into the right of such  person,  acting
                  alone, to give any instructions whatsoever which Custodian may
                  receive  from  such  person.  If any  Fund  fails  to  provide
                  Custodian   any   such    instructions    naming    designated
                  representatives, any instructions received by Custodian from a
                  person reasonably believed to be an appropriate representative
                  of such Fund shall  constitute  valid and proper  instructions
                  hereunder.  "Designated representatives" of a Fund may include
                  its employees and agents,  including  investment  managers and
                  their employees.
         B.       No later than the next business day immediately following each
                  oral  instruction,  the  applicable  Fund will send  Custodian
                  written confirmation of such oral instruction.  At Custodian's
                  sole  discretion,  Custodian may record on tape, or otherwise,
                  any oral instruction whether given in person or via telephone,
                  each such recording  identifying  the date and the time of the
                  beginning and ending of such oral instruction.
      C.   If Custodian shall provide any Fund any direct access to any
           computerized recordkeeping and reporting system used hereunder or if
           Custodian and any Fund shall agree to utilize any electronic system
           of communication, such Fund shall be fully responsible for any and
           all consequences of the use or misuse of the terminal device,
           passwords, access instructions and other means of access to such
           system(s) which are utilized by, assigned to or otherwise made
           available to the Fund.  Each Fund agrees to implement and enforce
           appropriate security policies and procedures to prevent unauthorized
           or improper access to or use of such system(s).  Custodian shall be
           fully protected in acting hereunder upon any instructions,
           communications, data or other information received by Custodian by
           such means as fully and to the same effect as if delivered to
           Custodian by written instrument signed by the requisite authorized
           representative(s) of the applicable Fund.  Each Fund shall indemnify
           and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all losses,

                                       18

<PAGE>



                  damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,  expenses and
                  liability  which may be suffered or incurred by Custodian as a
                  result  of  the  use  or   misuse,   whether   authorized   or
                  unauthorized,  of any such  system(s)  by such  Fund or by any
                  person  who  acquires  access to such  system(s)  through  the
                  terminal device, passwords, access instructions or other means
                  of access to such system(s) which are utilized by, assigned to
                  or otherwise made available to the Fund,  except to the extent
                  attributable  to  any  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  by
                  Custodian.
5.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN.
       A.   Custodian shall at all times use reasonable care and due diligence
            and act in good faith in performing its duties under this Agreement.
            Custodian shall not be responsible for, and the applicable Fund
            shall indemnify and hold Custodian harmless from and against, any
            and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
            expenses and liability which may be asserted against Custodian,
            incurred by Custodian or for which Custodian may be held to be
            liable, arising out of or attributable to:
               1.   All actions taken by Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or
                    any instructions provided to it hereunder, provided that
                    Custodian has acted in good faith and with due diligence and
                    reasonable care; and
                  2.       The Fund's  refusal  or  failure  to comply  with the
                           terms of this Agreement (including without limitation
                           the  Fund's  failure  to pay or  reimburse  Custodian
                           under  this  indemnification  provision),  the Fund's
                           negligence or willful  misconduct,  or the failure of
                           any  representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder
                           to be and remain true and correct in all  respects at
                           all times.
      B.   Custodian may request and obtain at the expense of the applicable
           Fund the advice and opinion of counsel for such Fund or of its own
           counsel with respect to questions or matters of law, and it shall be
           without liability to such Fund for any action taken or omitted by it
           in good faith, in conformity with such advice or opinion.  If
           Custodian reasonably believes that it could not prudently act
           according to the instructions of any Fund or the Fund's accountants
           or counsel, it may in its discretion, with notice to the Fund, not
           act according to such instructions.

                                       19

<PAGE>



         C.       Custodian may rely upon the advice and statements of any Fund,
                  its accountants and officers or other authorized  individuals,
                  and other persons believed by it in good faith to be expert in
                  matters upon which they are consulted, and Custodian shall not
                  be liable for any  actions  taken,  in good  faith,  upon such
                  advice and statements.
         D.       If any Fund  requests  Custodian  in any  capacity to take any
                  action which  involves the payment of money by  Custodian,  or
                  which  might  make it or its  nominee  liable  for  payment of
                  monies or in any other way, Custodian shall be indemnified and
                  held harmless by such Fund against any liability on account of
                  such action;  provided,  however,  that  nothing  herein shall
                  obligate  Custodian to take any such action except in its sole
                  discretion.
      E.   Custodian shall be protected in acting as custodian hereunder upon
           any instructions, advice, notice, request, consent, certificate or
           other instrument or paper appearing to it to be genuine and to have
           been properly executed.  Custodian shall be entitled to receive upon
           request as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to be
           ascertained from any Fund hereunder a certificate signed by an
           officer or designated representative of the Fund.  Each Fund shall
           also provide Custodian instructions with respect to any matter
           concerning this Agreement requested by Custodian.
         F.       Custodian  shall  be under no duty or  obligation  to  inquire
                  into,  and shall not be liable  for:  
               1. The  validity  of the issue of any securities purchased by or
                           for any Fund,  the  legality  of the  purchase of any
                           securities or foreign currency  positions or evidence
                           of  ownership  required by any Fund to be received by
                           Custodian,  or  the  propriety  of  the  decision  to
                           purchase or amount paid therefor;
               2. The legality of the sale of any securities or foreign currency
                  positions by or for any Fund, or the propriety of the amount
                  for which the same are sold;
                  3.       The legality of the issue or sale of any Fund Shares,
                           or the  sufficiency  of  the  amount  to be  received
                           therefor;
                  4.       The legality of the  repurchase  or redemption of any
                           Fund  Shares,  or the  propriety  of the amount to be
                           paid therefor; or
                  5.       The  legality of the  declaration  of any dividend by
                           any Fund,  or the  legality  of the issue of any Fund
                           Shares in payment of any stock dividend.

                                       20

<PAGE>



      G.   Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be Custodian of,
           any money represented by any check, draft, wire transfer,
           clearinghouse funds, uncollected funds, or instrument for the
           payment of money to be received by it on behalf of the applicable
           Fund until Custodian actually receives such money; provided,
           however, that it shall advise such Fund promptly if it fails to
           receive any such money in the ordinary course of business and shall
           cooperate with the Fund toward the end that such money shall be
           received.
      H.   Except as provided  in Section  3.S.,  Custodian  shall not be
           responsible  for  loss  occasioned  by  the  acts,   neglects,
           defaults or insolvency of any broker,  bank, trust company, or
           any other person with whom Custodian may deal.
      I.   Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the failure or
           delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement, or
           those of any entity for which it is responsible hereunder, arising
           out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond
           the affected entity's reasonable control, including, without
           limitation:  any interruption, loss or malfunction of any utility,
           transportation, or communication service or computer (hardware or
           software) services of third parties unrelated to Custodian;
           inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, or
           a delay in mails;  governmental or exchange action, statute,
           ordinance, rulings, regulations or direction;  war, strike, riot,
           emergency, civil disturbance, terrorism, vandalism, explosions,
           labor disputes, freezes, floods, fires, tornados, acts of God or
           public enemy, revolutions,  or insurrection.
         J.       EXCEPT FOR  VIOLATIONS  OF SECTION 9, IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO
                  CIRCUMSTANCES  SHALL EITHER PARTY TO THIS  AGREEMENT BE LIABLE
                  TO ANYONE,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT LIMITATION TO THE OTHER PARTY,
                  FOR CONSEQUENTIAL,  SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES FOR ANY ACT OR
                  FAILURE TO ACT UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THIS  AGREEMENT  EVEN IF
                  ADVISED OF THIS POSSIBILITY THEREOF.
6.       COMPENSATION.  In consideration for its services hereunder as Custodian
         and investment  accounting and recordkeeping  agent, each Fund will pay
         to Custodian such  compensation as shall be set forth in a separate fee
         schedule to be agreed to by the Funds and Custodian  from time to time.
         A copy of the initial fee schedule is attached hereto and  incorporated
         herein by reference. Custodian shall also be entitled to receive, and

                                       21

<PAGE>



         each Fund  agrees to pay to  Custodian,  on demand,  reimbursement  for
         Custodian's cash disbursements and reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs and
         expenses,   including   attorney's  fees,   incurred  by  Custodian  in
         connection  with the performance of services  hereunder.  Custodian may
         charge such  compensation  against monies held by it for the account of
         the applicable Fund.  Custodian will also be entitled to charge against
         any monies held by it for the account of the applicable Fund the amount
         of any loss, damage, liability, advance, overdraft or expense for which
         it shall be entitled to reimbursement from such Fund, including but not
         limited  to fees and  expenses  due to  Custodian  for  other  services
         provided  to the  Fund by  Custodian.  Custodian  will be  entitled  to
         reimbursement  by  the  Fund  for  the  losses,  damages,  liabilities,
         advances,  overdrafts and expenses of subcustodians  only to the extent
         that (i) Custodian would have been entitled to reimbursement  hereunder
         if it had  incurred  the same itself  directly,  and (ii)  Custodian is
         obligated to reimburse the subcustodian therefor.
7.    TERM AND TERMINATION.  The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a
      period of one year.  Thereafter, each Fund and Custodian may terminate the
      same by notice in writing, delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the
      other and received not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date upon
      which such termination will take effect.  Upon termination of this
      Agreement, each applicable Fund will pay Custodian its fees and
      compensation due hereunder and its reimbursable disbursements, costs and
      expenses paid or incurred to such date and each applicable Fund shall
      designate a successor custodian by notice in writing to Custodian by the
      termination date.  In the event no written order designating a successor
      custodian has been delivered to Custodian on or before the date when such
      termination becomes effective, then Custodian may, at its option, deliver
      the securities, funds and properties of the Fund to a bank or trust
      company at the selection of Custodian, and meeting the qualifications for
      custodian set forth in the 1940 Act and having not less that Two Million
      Dollars ($2,000,000) aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as
      shown by its last published report, or apply to a court of competent
      jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor custodian or other proper
      relief, or take any other lawful action under the circumstances; provided,
      however, that the applicable Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its costs
      and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred in connection
      therewith.  Custodian will, upon termination of this Agreement and payment
      of all sums due to Custodian from each applicable Fund hereunder or

                                       22

<PAGE>



         otherwise,   deliver  to  the  successor   custodian  so  specified  or
         appointed,  or as specified by the court,  at Custodian's  office,  all
         securities then held by Custodian hereunder,  duly endorsed and in form
         for transfer,  and all funds and other  properties  of each  applicable
         Fund deposited with or held by Custodian hereunder,  and Custodian will
         co-operate in effecting  changes in book-entries  at all  Depositories.
         Upon  delivery to a successor  custodian  or as specified by the court,
         Custodian will have no further  obligations  or liabilities  under this
         Agreement.  Thereafter  such successor will be the successor  custodian
         under this  Agreement and will be entitled to  reasonable  compensation
         for its  services.  In the  event  that  securities,  funds  and  other
         properties  remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of
         termination  hereof owing to failure of any Fund to appoint a successor
         custodian,  the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation as provided
         in the then-current fee schedule hereunder for its services during such
         period as the Custodian  retains  possession of such securities,  funds
         and other properties,  and the provisions of this Agreement relating to
         the duties and  obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force
         and effect.
8.    NOTICES.  Notices, requests, instructions and other writings addressed to
      any Fund at 11 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10005, or at such other
      address as the Funds  may have designated to Custodian in writing, will be
      deemed to have been properly given to such Fund hereunder; and notices,
      requests, instructions and other writings addressed to Custodian at its
      offices at 127 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, Attention:
      Custody Department, or to such other address as it may have designated to
      the Funds in writing, will be deemed to have been properly given to
      Custodian hereunder.
9.    CONFIDENTIALITY.
       A.  Each Fund shall preserve the confidentiality of the computerized
           investment portfolio and custody recordkeeping and accounting
           systems used by Custodian (the "Systems") and the tapes, books,
           reference manuals, instructions, records, programs, documentation
           and information of, and other materials relevant to, the Systems and
           the business of Custodian ("Confidential Information").  Each Fund
           agrees that it will not voluntarily disclose any such Confidential
           Information to any other person other than its own employees who
           reasonably have a need to know such information pursuant to this
           Agreement.  Each Fund shall return all such Confidential Information
           to Custodian upon termination or expiration of this Agreement.

                                       23

<PAGE>



      B.   Each Fund has been informed that the Systems are licensed for use by
           Custodian from third parties ("Licensors"), and each Fund
           acknowledges that Custodian and the Licensors have proprietary
           rights in and to the Systems and all other Custodian or Licensor
           programs, code, techniques, know-how, data bases, supporting
           documentation, data formats, and procedures, including without
           limitation any changes or modifications made at the request or
           expense or both of any Fund (collectively, the "Protected
           Information").  Each Fund acknowledges that the Protected
           Information constitutes confidential material and trade secrets of
           Custodian and the Licensors.  Each Fund shall preserve the
           confidentiality of the Protected Information, and each Fund hereby
           acknowledges that any unauthorized use, misuse, disclosure or taking
           of Protected Information, residing or existing internal or external
           to a computer, computer system, or computer network, or the knowing
           and unauthorized accessing or causing to be accessed of any
           computer, computer system, or computer network, may be subject to
           civil liabilities and criminal penalties under applicable law.  Each
           Fund shall so inform employees and agents who have access to the
           Protected Information or to any computer equipment capable of
           accessing the same.  The Licensors are intended to be and shall be
           third party beneficiaries of the Funds' obligations and undertakings
           contained in this paragraph.
10.  MULTIPLE FUNDS AND PORTFOLIOS.
     A.    Each Fund, and as to any Fund which is comprised of more than one
           Portfolio, each Portfolio, shall be regarded for all purposes
           hereunder as a separate party apart from each other.  Unless the
           context otherwise requires, with respect to every transaction
           covered by this Agreement, every reference herein to a Fund shall be
           deemed to relate solely to the particular Fund, and, if applicable,
           Portfolio thereof to which such transaction relates.  Under no
           circumstances shall the rights, obligations or remedies with respect
           to a particular Fund or Portfolio constitute a right, obligation or
           remedy applicable to any other.  The use of this single document to
           memorialize the separate agreement of each Fund is understood to be
           for clerical convenience only and shall not constitute any basis for
           joining the Funds for any reason.
         B.       Additional   Funds  and   Portfolios  may  be  added  to  this
                  Agreement,  provided that Custodian consents to such addition.
                  Rates or charges

                                       24

<PAGE>



                  for each  additional Fund or Portfolio shall be as agreed upon
                  by Custodian and the  applicable  Fund in writing.  Additional
                  Funds may be added hereto by execution of instruments amending
                  Exhibit A to add such Funds thereto.

11.      MISCELLANEOUS.
         A.       This Agreement shall be construed according to, and the rights
                  and  liabilities  of the parties  hereto shall be governed by,
                  the laws of the State of  Missouri,  without  reference to the
                  choice of laws principles thereof.
         B.       All terms and  provisions of this  Agreement  shall be binding
                  upon,  inure  to the  benefit  of and  be  enforceable  by the
                  parties hereto and their  respective  successors and permitted
                  assigns.
         C.       The  representations  and  warranties,   the  indemnifications
                  extended  hereunder,  and the  provisions of Section 9. hereof
                  are  intended  to and shall  continue  after and  survive  the
                  expiration, termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
         D.       No  provisions  of the Agreement may be amended or modified in
                  any manner except by a written agreement  properly  authorized
                  and executed by each party hereto.
      E.   The failure of any party to insist upon the performance of any terms
           or conditions of this Agreement or to enforce any rights resulting
           from any breach of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement,
           including the payment of damages, shall not be construed as a
           continuing or permanent waiver of any such terms, conditions, rights
           or privileges, but the same shall continue and remain in full force
           and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.  No
           waiver, release or discharge of any party's rights hereunder shall
           be effective unless contained in a written instrument signed by the
           party sought to be charged.
         F.       The captions in the Agreement are included for  convenience of
                  reference  only,  and in no way  define  or  limit  any of the
                  provisions  hereof or otherwise  affect their  construction or
                  effect.
         G.       This  Agreement  may be executed in two or more  counterparts,
                  each of which  shall be  deemed an  original  but all of which
                  together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
         H.       If any provision of this  Agreement  shall be determined to be
                  invalid or  unenforceable,  the  remaining  provisions of this
                  Agreement shall not be affected  thereby,  and every provision
                  of this Agreement shall

                                       25

<PAGE>



                  remain in full force and effect and shall  remain  enforceable
                  to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
         I.       This Agreement may not be assigned by any Fund or Custodian
                  without the prior written consent of the other.
         J.       Neither the execution nor  performance of this Agreement shall
                  be deemed  to create a  partnership  or joint  venture  by and
                  between Custodian and any Fund or Funds.
         K.       Except as specifically  provided  herein,  this Agreement does
                  not in any way affect any other agreements  entered into among
                  the parties  hereto and any actions taken or omitted by either
                  party  hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of
                  the other party  hereunder.  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties
                  have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers.

                                            INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY

                                             By:


                                             Title:


                                            EACH REGISTERED INVESTMENT
                                            COMPANY LISTED ON EXHIBIT A HERETO

                                              By:


                                              Title:



                                       26

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  LIST OF FUNDS

Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.:
         Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.:
         Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves

Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.

Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.

Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.

Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.

Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Midas Fund, Inc.

Rockwood Fund, Inc.

                                       27

<PAGE>


EXHIBIT B


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
                    AVAILABILITY SCHEDULE BY TRANSACTION TYPE


TRANSACTION                    DTC                           PHYSICAL                                 FED
- ---------------      -------------------------      --------------------------          -----------------------------
TYPE                 CREDIT DATE    FUNDS TYPE      CREDIT DATE     FUNDS TYPE          CREDIT DATE        FUNDS TYPE
===============      =========================      ==========================          =============================
<S>                      <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>                  <C>               <C>
Calls Puts           As Received       C or F*      As Received       C or F*
Maturities           As Received       C or F*      Mat. Date         C or F*           Mat. Date               F
Tender Reorgs.       As Received         C          As Received          C                 N/A
Dividends            Paydate             C          Paydate              C                 N/A
Floating Rate        Paydate             C          Paydate              C                 N/A
Int.
Floating Rate        N/A                            As Rate              C                 N/A
Int. (No Rate)                                      Received
Mtg. Backed P&I      Paydate             C          Paydate + 1          C              Paydate                 F
                                                    Bus. Day
Fixed Rate Int.      Paydate             C          Paydate              C              Paydate                 F
Euroclear            N/A                 C          Paydate              C
=========================== =================    ============  ==========================  ==========================
</TABLE>


Legend


C = Clearinghouse Funds
F = Fed Funds
N/A = Not Applicable
* Availability based on how received.

                                       28







[DESCRIPTION]            Retirement Plan Custodial Services Agreement


        FORM OF
                  RETIREMENT PLAN CUSTODIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT


THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 26th day of June, 1997, by and
between INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER, INC., a Delaware corporation  ("Company"),  and
INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY, a Missouri trust company ("IFTC").

WHEREAS, Company desires to name a custodial trustee without discretionary trust
powers  and/or a custodian  (in either or both  capacities  a  "Custodian")  for
individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified employee pension plans,  403(b)(7)
custodial  accounts,  savings  incentive  match  plans  for  employees  of small
employers and defined contribution  retirement plans (whether or not "qualified"
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), and whether or not
subject to the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA")) (all
such accounts and plans are herein  referred to  collectively  as "Plans") which
Company sponsors, or may hereafter sponsor, for participants to invest solely in
shares  of the  registered  investment  companies  for  which  Company  provides
distribution and shareholder services (the "Funds"); and

WHEREAS, IFTC is willing to serve as Custodian with respect to Plans approved by
IFTC, but only on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the
parties agree as follows:

1. IFTC shall serve as Custodian  for Plans  sponsored by the Company which IFTC
approves as  hereinafter  provided.  Company  and IFTC agree to  evidence  their
agreement  for IFTC to act as such with respect to each Plan approved by IFTC by
executing a Retirement Plan Custodial Services Confirmation substantially in the
form  attached  hereto as Exhibit A  ("Confirmation"),  and each party agrees to
execute such further  documents  evidencing  such agreement as may be reasonably
requested by either  party from time to time.  As to each Plan,  the  "Effective
Date"  for  purposes  hereof  shall  be  the  date  specified  as  such  in  the
Confirmation  for such  Plan.  IFTC  certifies  that it is  qualified  to act as
Custodian for the Plans under the requirements of the Code.

2. No Plan  shall  provide  for  IFTC  to  serve  as  Custodian  for any  assets
whatsoever  other than shares of the Funds.  In no event shall any Plan  provide
for IFTC (i) to have or exercise any  discretionary  authority or  discretionary
control whatsoever respecting management of the Plan or any authority or control
respecting  management or disposition of any assets of the Plan;  (ii) to render
or have authority or  responsibility to render investment advice with respect to
any  moneys or other  property  of any Plan;  or (iii) to have or  exercise  any
discretionary authority or discretionary responsibility in the administration of
any Plan.  No Plan shall  provide  for IFTC to be, and in no event shall IFTC be
deemed to be, a "fiduciary" as defined in ERISA.

3. IFTC shall serve as Custodian with respect to shares of each Fund only during
such period of time as such Fund maintains its shareholder  accounts and records
on the computerized mutual fund recordkeeping  system of DST Systems,  Inc. (the
"System").  IFTC shall at all times have full access to and use of all  accounts
and records relating to accounts on which IFTC is named custodian or trustee and
which are  maintained  on the System for purposes of  performing  its duties and
obligations  as such custodian or trustee.  In addition,  IFTC, its auditors and
accountants, and to the extent required by law its regulatory authorities, shall
have full access at all times to all such  accounts  and records for purposes of
audit,  examination,  and testing and verifying compliance with the terms of the
Plans and any other applicable governing documents,  all applicable requirements
of law and all applicable accounting


<PAGE>



standards. Company hereby irrevocably authorizes and instructs DST Systems, Inc.
to provide  such access to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such  accounts
and records upon demand.  The Company  irrevocably  acknowledges and agrees that
IFTC may  appoint  agents and  subcontractors  with  respect to  servicing  such
accounts.  The provisions of this paragraph shall continue after the termination
of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the Funds for so
long as such access to and use of such  accounts  and records may be  reasonably
required  by  IFTC.  Further,  Company  shall  deliver  to  IFTC a  Consent  and
Authorization  from  each  Fund  substantially  in the form  attached  hereto as
Exhibit  B.  IFTC's  agreement  to serve as  Custodian  hereunder  shall  not be
effective as to any Fund until IFTC has received such Consent and  Authorization
executed by such Fund.

4. Company shall submit to IFTC for approval all Plans for which Company  wishes
for IFTC to serve as Custodian, including any and all related application forms,
adoption  agreements,   transfer  request  forms,  disclosure  statements,  Plan
loan-related documents, beneficiary designation forms and any other Plan-related
documents  ("Plan  Documents"),  and any and all amendments,  modifications  and
supplements  thereto  which  Company may propose to use from time to time.  IFTC
shall not become the  Custodian of any Plan unless and until it has approved the
applicable  Plan  Documents  in writing as  evidenced  by its  execution  of the
Confirmation referencing the same, and IFTC shall not be deemed to have accepted
and agreed to any subsequent  amendment,  modification or supplement to any Plan
Document unless and until it has approved the same in writing. IFTC's review and
approval of all Plan  Documents and any and all  amendments,  modifications  and
supplements  thereto is solely for IFTC's  benefit,  and Company shall bear full
responsibility  for the  form  and  content  thereof  and  compliance  with  all
applicable laws, rules and  regulations,  as amended from time to time.  Company
shall be responsible for acquiring, at Company's sole expense,  Internal Revenue
Service  determination  letters  ("IRS  Letters")  with respect to all Plans for
which such  determination  letters are  required by the Code and shall  promptly
provide IFTC copies thereof.

5.  Company  shall be  solely  responsible  for all costs  and  expenses  (i) of
preparing,   printing  and  distributing  all  Plan  Documents  and  amendments,
modifications  and supplements  thereto,  including but not limited to costs and
expenses  necessary  in order to  comply  with new or  amended  laws,  rules and
regulations,  or (ii)  related to or arising  from any  merger,  reorganization,
dissolution,  termination or other organizational change involving any Plan, any
Fund or Company.

6. With respect to all  existing  and future  Plans (if any) in  existence  with
enrolled   participants  prior  to  the  Effective  Date  with  respect  thereto
(including but not limited to Plans  associated  with any  investment  companies
hereafter acquired):

i. Company, at its sole expense,  shall in a timely manner obtain the removal or
resignation  of any prior trustee or custodian,  modify and amend Plan Documents
as  necessary  to name  IFTC as  Custodian  and give  all  notices,  obtain  all
approvals and take such other steps as may be required in  connection  therewith
under the Plan Documents and applicable laws, rules and regulations.

ii.  Except as provided in the next  paragraph,  Company,  at its sole  expense,
shall  cause to be  prepared,  mailed,  distributed  and filed all tax  reports,
information  returns and other  documents  required by the Code with  respect to
Plan  accounts  ("Returns"),  and shall cause to be withheld  and paid all taxes
relating to such  accounts,  with  respect to the portion of the  calendar  year
during which the Effective Date occurs which is prior thereto.



<PAGE>



iii.  Provided  that IFTC  consents to do so in writing,  IFTC shall cause to be
prepared,  mailed,  distributed  and filed all Returns for the calendar  year in
which the Effective Date occurs;  provided,  however, that Company shall provide
or cause to be provided to IFTC all  necessary  information  with respect to the
portion of such year prior to the Effective Date. IFTC shall be entitled to rely
on the accuracy and completeness of such information with no duty to investigate
or verify the same, and Company shall  indemnify and hold harmless IFTC from and
against, any and all losses,  liabilities,  claims, demands,  actions, suits and
expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys  fees and  penalties  and other sums
assessed  by any  federal,  state or local  governmental  agency  including  the
Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Labor  ("Government
Authority")) arising out of or resulting from any error, omission, inaccuracy or
other  deficiency  therein.  Company,  at its sole  expense,  shall  cause to be
withheld  and paid all taxes  relating  to such  accounts  with  respect  to the
portion of the  calendar  year during which the  Effective  Date occurs which is
prior thereto.

iv. If and to the  extent  necessary  to permit  performance  of all  duties and
obligations of the Custodian,  Company,  at its sole expense,  shall transfer or
cause to be  transferred  onto the System to the maximum  extent  possible,  and
shall otherwise  deliver or cause to be delivered to the transfer agent or other
agent(s)  which will perform  shareholder  account  recordkeeping  and servicing
functions with respect to Plan accounts  after the Effective  Date, all relevant
records  previously  maintained  with respect to the accounts of participants in
such Plans.

v. IFTC shall have no  responsibility  for,  and  Company  shall,  except to the
extent (if any)  prohibited by ERISA,  indemnify and hold harmless IFTC from and
against, any and all losses,  liabilities,  claims, demands,  actions, suits and
expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys  fees and  penalties  and other sums
assessed by any Government  Authority)  arising out of or resulting from (a) any
acts,  omissions or errors of any previous  trustee or custodian,  including but
not  limited to its  failure to file or mail any  Returns,  withhold  or pay any
taxes,  or file any  schedules  or other  required  information,  (b) any error,
omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency in the Plan participant account records
or other relevant records created and maintained prior to the Effective Date, or
(c) costs  and  expenses  of  enforcing  Company's  obligations  and  agreements
hereunder.

7. As  compensation  for its  services  as  Custodian  as  provided  for in this
Agreement,  the  Company  agrees  that IFTC  shall be paid the fees set forth in
Exhibit  C  attached  hereto,  as the same may be  amended  from time to time by
mutual agreement of the parties.

8. Subject to any longer notice periods required by the Plan Documents,  Company
may remove  IFTC,  and IFTC may resign,  as Custodian of any or all the Plans by
providing  sixty (60) days written  notice to the other  party.  In the event of
such removal or  resignation,  Company,  at its sole expense,  shall in a timely
manner appoint a successor trustee or custodian, modify and amend Plan Documents
as necessary to delete all references to IFTC, and give all notices,  obtain all
approvals and take such other steps as may be required in  connection  therewith
under the Plan Documents and applicable laws, rules and regulations.

9. Except to the extent (if any)  prohibited by ERISA,  and except to the extent
resulting  from the  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of IFTC,  Company shall
indemnify  and  hold  harmless  IFTC  from  and  against  any  and  all  losses,
liabilities,  claims, demands, actions, suits and expenses whatsoever (including
reasonable  attorneys fees,  penalties and other sums assessed by any Government
Authority, and all costs and expenses of enforcing Company's


<PAGE>



obligations  and  agreements  hereunder)  arising out of,  resulting  from or in
connection  with (i) the Plans and Plan  Documents,  (ii) the appointment of and
service by IFTC as Custodian  therefor,  (iii) any acts,  omissions or errors of
any successor trustee or custodian  (including but not limited to its failure to
file or mail any Returns, reports, schedules or other required documentation, or
withhold  or pay any taxes) or of any Plan  administrator,  co-trustee  or other
fiduciary,  (iv) any  instructions  given by or on behalf  of the  Fund,  or any
policies,  procedures or practices  adopted or followed by any Fund, the Company
or the Funds'  transfer  or other  shareholder  servicing  agent(s)  (other than
IFTC),  with respect to shareholder  account  recordkeeping  and servicing which
impacts  Plan  accounts,  or (v) the  failure of  Company to perform  any of its
obligations hereunder.

10.  This  Agreement  shall  be  construed  according  to,  and the  rights  and
liabilities of the parties hereto shall be governed by, the laws of the State of
Missouri, without reference to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

11. All terms and provisions of this Agreement  shall be binding upon,  inure to
the benefit of and be  enforceable  by the parties  hereto and their  respective
successors and permitted  assigns.  This Agreement may not be assigned by either
party without the prior written consent of the other.

12. The provisions for  indemnification  extended  hereunder are intended to and
shall continue after and survive the expiration,  termination or cancellation of
this  Agreement.  All  rights and  remedies  of each  party  hereunder  shall be
cumulative  of all other  rights and  remedies  which may be  available  to such
party.

13. No  provisions  of the  Agreement  may be amended or  modified in any manner
except by a written  agreement  properly  authorized  and executed by each party
hereto.

14. This  Agreement may be executed in two or more  counterparts,  each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together  shall  constitute one and
the same instrument.

15. If any  provision of this  Agreement  shall be  determined  to be invalid or
unenforceable,  the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby,  and every  provision of this Agreement  shall remain in full force and
effect  and  shall  remain  enforceable  to  the  fullest  extent  permitted  by
applicable law.

16. Neither the execution nor  performance of this Agreement  shall be deemed to
create a partnership or joint venture by and between Company and IFTC.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of
the day and year  first  above  written  by  their  respective  duly  authorized
officers.

INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:

INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A

                 RETIREMENT PLAN CUSTODIAL SERVICES CONFIRMATION


This confirms that INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER, INC. ("Company") has designated, and
hereby designates,  INVESTORS  FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY, a Missouri trust company
with offices at 127 West Tenth Street,  Kansas City, Missouri 64105 ("IFTC"), as
custodial  trustee  without  discretionary  trust powers and custodian under the
individual retirement  account/simplified  employee pension/403(b)(7)  custodial
account/savings  incentive match plans for employees of small  employers/defined
contribution  retirement  plan(s)  ("Plans")  sponsored  by  Company,  which are
created and  governed by Plan  documents  as  presently  in effect and as may be
amended from time to time:

Investor Service Center, Inc. IRA Information Kit
Investor Service Center 403(b)(7) Account
Bull & Bear Qualified Retirement Plan (Basic Plan Document 03)
Bull & Bear Qualified Retirement Plan Supplemental Trust/Custody Agreement

IFTC has accepted, and hereby accepts, such appointment and certifies that it is
qualified to act as such custodial  trustee without  discretionary  trust powers
and custodian  under the applicable  provisions of the Internal  Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

This agreement is made under and subject to the terms of that certain Retirement
Plan Custodial  Services  Agreement by and between  Company and IFTC dated as of
June  26th,  1997  (the  "Agreement"),  which is hereby  incorporated  herein by
reference.

The Effective Date of this agreement for purposes of the Agreement shall be June
26, 1997.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this  instrument to be executed by
their respective duly authorized officers.

INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY


By:
Name:
Title:



INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER, INC.


By:
Name:
Title:




<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR FUNDS I, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR FUNDS II, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR GLOBAL INCOME FUND, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR SPECIAL EQUITIES FUND, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR GOLD INVESTORS LTD.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



BULL & BEAR MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.



MIDAS FUND, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

                            CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION


In  consideration  of Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC")  serving as
custodian  and/or custodial  trustee for the Accounts (as hereinafter  defined),
the undersigned  registered investment  company(ies) agree(s) that IFTC shall at
all times have full access to and use of all  accounts  and records  relating to
Accounts  which are  maintained  on the  computerized  mutual  fund  shareholder
recordkeeping  system of DST  Systems,  Inc.  (the  "System")  for  purposes  of
performing  its  duties  and  obligations  as such  custodian  and/or  custodial
trustee.  In addition,  IFTC,  its auditors and  accountants,  and to the extent
required by law its regulatory authorities,  shall have full access at all times
to all such accounts and records for purposes of audit, examination, and testing
and verifying compliance with all applicable requirements of law, all applicable
accounting standards, and the terms of the retirement plan documents,  trust and
custody  agreements and other  applicable  governing  documents  relating to the
Accounts.

DST Systems, Inc. is hereby authorized and instructed to provide such access
to IFTC and to permit IFTC to make use of such accounts and records upon
demand.  The undersigned acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that DST Systems, Inc.
may serve as agent and sub-contractor of IFTC with respect to the Accounts.

The  provisions  of this  Consent and  Authorization  shall  continue  after the
termination  of System and other services  provided by DST Systems,  Inc. to the
undersigned  for so long as such access to and use of such  accounts and records
may be reasonably required by IFTC.

The term "Accounts" shall mean all individual  retirement  accounts,  simplified
employee pension plan accounts,  403(b)(7) custodial  accounts,  Keogh accounts,
defined contribution retirement plan accounts and other accounts of any type for
which IFTC may from time to time be named as custodian or trustee  which contain
shares issued by the undersigned investment company(ies).

This Consent and Authorization is irrevocable in every respect, shall be binding
upon the undersigned  and its (their)  successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of IFTC and DST Systems,  Inc. and their  respective  successors and
assigns.


ROCKWOOD FUND, INC.

By:
Name:
Title:


<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT C

                               ANNUAL FEE SCHEDULE


IRAs (including SEP-IRAs):  $1.00 per IRA Plan
403(b)(7) Accounts:  $1.00 per 403(b) Plan
Employer Defined Contribution Retirement Plans:  $10.00 per Participant in the
Employer Plan





[DESCRIPTION]            Credit Facilities Agreement



                               FORM OF AGREEMENT






July 1, 1997

William J. Maynard, Vice President
The Bull & Bear Funds
11 Hanover Square
New York, New York 10005


Dear Mr. Maynard:

This is to advise you that,  based on the  information  you have furnished to us
and our  discussions  to date,  State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank")
has established a $1 million committed, unsecured line of credit (the "Committed
Line of Credit") for the funds (or to the extent a series thereof is a borrower,
such series)  listed in Appendix I  (collectively  the  "Borrowers"  and each, a
"Borrower"), effective July 1, 1997 (the "Effective Date"). When the Borrower is
a series of a fund listed in Appendix I, the term  Borrower  shall refer only to
such series.

Our willingness to provide the proposed financing is contingent upon and subject
to the terms and conditions in this letter (the "Agreement").

The proceeds of advances made under the  Committed  Line of Credit (a "Loan" and
collectively, the "Loans") may be used as follows:

    1. To  temporarily  finance the  purchase or sale of  securities  for prompt
    delivery,  if the Loan is to be repaid  promptly in the  ordinary  course of
    business upon completion of the purchase or sale transaction;

    2. To finance the redemption of a Borrower's shares; or

    3.  To  enable  the  Borrower  to meet  emergency  expenses  not  reasonably
    foreseeable  on the  Effective  Date  of  this  Agreement,  but  only if the
    Borrower submits a written statement  executed by a duly authorized  officer
    of the Borrower to the effect that the advance is  necessitated  by a change
    in circumstances  involving extreme hardship,  not reasonably foreseeable on
    the Effective Date of this Agreement.

In any event,  a Loan must be repaid in full  within 60 days from the date of an
advance.

The following are attached as exhibits:

    1. A Loan  request  in the form  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  I (the  "Loan
    Advance/Paydown Request Form") stating the principal amount of the requested
    Loan  and  warranting,  at the time of  borrowing,  (i)  compliance  by such
    Borrower with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as


<PAGE>



    amended (the "1940 Act") and the  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional
    Information  of the Borrower,  and (ii) use of the Loan in  accordance  with
    this Agreement;

    2. A Promissory Note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II;

    3. An Officer's Certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit III;

    4. An  opinion of counsel to the  Borrowers  in a form  satisfactory  to the
    Bank, attached hereto as Exhibit IV; and

    5. An Instruction and  Confirmation  Certificate in the form attached hereto
    as Exhibit V addressed to Investors  Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC") in its
    capacity as custodian.

At the time the Agreement is executed,  the Bank shall have received an executed
Promissory Note, an executed Officer's  Certificate,  an opinion of counsel in a
form  satisfactory  to the Bank, and an executed  Instruction  and  Confirmation
Certificate.

All Loans under the  Committed  Line of Credit will be evidenced by a Promissory
Note in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit II. The  outstanding  amount of the
Loan(s) set forth on the Bank's books and records shall be  conclusive  evidence
of the principal  amount thereof owing and unpaid to the Bank,  absent  manifest
error. The failure to record,  or any error in so recording,  any such amount on
the Bank's books and records,  or any other record maintained by the Bank, shall
not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of each Borrower hereunder or under
the  Promissory  Note to make  payments  of  principal  of and  interest  on the
Promissory Note when due.

Loans under the  Committed  Line of Credit will be  available  at the  Overnight
Federal  Funds  rate as in effect  from  time to time,  plus  0.75%  per  annum.
Requests for advances or decreases  under the  Committed  Line of Credit will be
made on the Loan  Advance/Paydown  Request  Form,  attached as Exhibit I to this
Agreement and delivered to the Bank at the time of the request. At the time each
Loan  is  made,  the  Bank  shall  mail to the  applicable  Borrower  a  written
confirmation  of the  amount  of such  Loan  and  the  interest  rate  initially
applicable thereto. The interest rate will be calculated on a 360 days basis for
actual days elapsed.

The Bank will honor  requests for Loans under the Committed Line of Credit for a
364-day period commencing on the Effective Date.

As compensation  for holding  available this lending  commitment,  each Borrower
agrees to pay its  pro-rata  share of a 20 basis points per annum fee (0.20%) on
the unused portion of the commitment. The commitment fee will be calculated on a
360 days basis for actual days  elapsed.  The fee will be payable  quarterly  in
arrears with the first  payment  commencing  on October 15, 1997 (for the period
from the Effective Date through the quarter ending September 30, 1997) and every
90 days thereafter during the term of the Committed Line of Credit.

Temporary or emergency borrowings in the aggregate will be limited to an amount 
not greater than 20% of the value of the applicable Borrower's total net assets 
(the "Leverage Covenant"), at the time the borrowing is made, or a lesser amount
to the extent provided in the Borrower's Prospectus and Statement of Additional 
Information or the 1940 Act registration statement, as the case may be.  The


<PAGE>



Leverage   Covenant  is  calculated  as  follows:   ((total  assets  less  total
liabilities) plus aggregate bank  borrowings)/aggregate  bank borrowings.  If at
any time a Borrower is in violation of the Leverage  Covenant,  that Borrower is
required  within three (3) business days to repay Loans in an amount  sufficient
to achieve compliance with the Leverage Covenant.

Each  Borrower  hereby  promises to pay the  principal and interest of each Loan
made to it and  related  fees on the day  when  due to the  Bank at its  address
stated above.  Each Borrower hereby  authorizes the Bank, if and to the extent a
payment is owed by that  Borrower,  to charge  against  the  Borrower's  deposit
account  with  the  Bank  any  amount  so due on the  15th  business  day of the
following month.

Each  Borrower  agrees  that it shall  not  borrow  from any other  bank,  issue
preferred  stock or  create,  incur  or  assume  or  suffer  to  exist  any lien
(statutory or otherwise), security interest, priority, conditional sale, pledge,
charge or other encumbrance or similar rights of others or any agreement to give
any of the foregoing liens, upon or with respect to any of its properties, owned
or acquired during such period,  except as a result of its investment activities
as  described  in its  then  current  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional
Information or Registration  Statement  under the 1940 Act, and  indebtedness in
favor of the  Borrower's  custodian  consisting of extensions of credit from the
custodian in the ordinary course of business to cover securities trades or liens
in  favor  of  the  Borrower's   custodian   granted  pursuant  to  the  custody
agreement(s) in force.

Each  Borrower  agrees to  furnish  to the Bank (1) a  statement  of assets  and
liabilities  as of the  end of  each  semi-annual  period;  (2)  audited  annual
statements;  (3) the portfolio of investments as of the end of each  semi-annual
period;  and (4) proxy  materials,  reports to the  shareholders  and such other
information as the Bank shall reasonably request from time to time. Such audited
annual  statements  and  semi-annual  statements  shall  present  fairly  in all
material  respects  the  financial  position of the  Borrower  and conform  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

Each  Borrower  agrees  that it will not  change  its  investment  objective  or
fundamental  investment  policies,  as set forth in the  Borrower's  most recent
Statement  of  Additional  Information  or most recent  Prospectus,  without the
consent of the Bank. Each Borrower agrees that it will be a default hereunder if
the  investment  adviser set forth  opposite the  Borrower's  name on Appendix I
ceases to be its  investment  adviser,  or the  Borrower  changes its  Custodian
without  the  consent  of the  Bank,  which  consent  will  not be  unreasonably
withheld.

Notwithstanding  any provision to the contrary contained herein,  each Loan made
to a  Borrower  shall be made only with  respect to that  Borrower  and shall be
repaid solely from the assets of that Borrower,  or a series of that Borrower as
the case may be, and the Bank shall have no right of recourse or offset,  or any
other right  whatsoever,  against the assets of any other series of the Borrower
or any other  Borrower  with  respect  to such Loan or any  default  in  respect
thereof. A default by any Borrower shall not, by itself, constitute a default by
any other Borrower hereunder.

As an inducement to the Bank to extend the Committed Line of Credit,  and at any
time Loans are  outstanding  to a Borrower or at any time a Loan Request is made
by that Borrower, that Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank as to itself
and not as to any other Borrower that:

    1. The Borrower is, or is a series of a corporation, duly organized, validly
    existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  its
    organization and has all corporate powers and all


<PAGE>



    governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to 
    carry on its business as now conducted;

    2.  Neither the Bank nor any  affiliate of the Bank  individually  or in the
    aggregate owns,  controls or holds with the power to vote, 5% or more of the
    outstanding  shares of the Borrower or any  affiliate of the  Borrower,  and
    neither  the  Borrower  nor  any  affiliate  of the  Borrower,  directly  or
    indirectly,  individually or in the aggregate,  owns, controls or holds with
    the power to vote, 5% or more of the  outstanding  voting  securities of the
    Bank or any affiliate of the Bank known to the Borrower;

    3.  Neither the  Borrower nor any  affiliate  of the  Borrower,  directly or
    indirectly,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  controls  or,  to the best
    knowledge  of the  Borrower  after due inquiry,  is  controlled  by or under
    common  control  of the  Bank or any  affiliate  of the  Bank  known  to the
    Borrower.  Furthermore,  no  officer,  director,  trustee or employee of the
    Borrower or any  affiliate  of the Borrower is an  affiliated  person of the
    Bank or of any affiliate of the Bank known to the Borrower;

    4.  The Borrower has no subsidiaries;

    5. The  Borrower is not a member of an ERISA group and has no  liability  in
    respect of any benefit  arrangement,  plan or multi-employer plan subject to
    ERISA;

    6. The Borrower  qualifies as a "regulated  investment  company"  within the
    meaning of the Internal  Revenue  Code,  and as such,  because it intends to
    timely  distribute  all  its  income   (including   capital  gains)  to  its
    shareholders, its income will not be subject to tax at the trust level under
    the Internal  Revenue Code. The Borrower has filed all United States Federal
    income tax returns and all other  material tax returns which are required to
    be filed by it and has  paid all  taxes  due  pursuant  to such  returns  or
    pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower.  The charges,  accruals
    and  reserves  on the Books of the  Borrower  in  respect  of taxes or other
    governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate;

    7. All  information  heretofore  furnished  by the  Borrower to the Bank for
    purposes  of or  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or  any  transaction
    contemplated hereby is, and all such information  hereafter furnished by the
    Borrower to the Bank will be, true and accurate in all material  respects on
    the date as of which such  information is stated or certified.  The Borrower
    has disclosed to the Bank in writing any and all facts which, to the best of
    the Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry,  materially and adversely affect
    or may affect (to the extent the Borrower can now reasonably  foresee),  the
    business,  operations or financial  condition of the Borrower or the ability
    of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Note;

    8. The  execution,  delivery and  performance  of all of the  agreements and
    instruments  in connection  with the Committed Line of Credit are within the
    Borrower's  power and  authority  and have been  authorized by all necessary
    proceedings  and  will  not  contravene  any  provision  of  the  Borrower's
    organizational  documents, by laws, then-current Prospectus and Statement of
    Additional Information (or 1940 Act registration  statement, as the case may
    be) or any agreement or undertaking binding upon the Borrower;



<PAGE>



    9. There is no litigation,  proceeding or investigation  pending,  or to the
    knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower, which would have
    a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Borrower's  ability  to carry  out its
    obligations hereunder or under the Note;

      10. The Borrower has statutory  authority to enter into this Agreement and
      any loan requests  hereunder  will not result in an aggregate of all loans
      outstanding  which  exceed  the  limits  permitted  under  the  Borrower's
      then-current  Prospectus and Statement of Additional  Information (or 1940
      Act  registration  statement,  as the case may be),  the 1940 Act,  or any
      applicable  rule,  regulation,  statute or Leverage  Covenant,  as defined
      herein;

      11. The Borrower is a registered  open-end  management  investment company
      under the 1940 Act and the shares of common  stock of each  Borrower  have
      been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  the
      Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,  and  applicable  state
      securities or so-called "Blue Sky" laws; and

      12. The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with applicable
      law, including the 1940 Act and Federal Reserve Regulation U.

Upon the occurrence of any of the following  events,  a Borrower shall be deemed
to be in default under this Agreement:

    1. Failure of a Borrower to make payment when due of any Loan;  or available
    cash in the deposit  account is  insufficient to repay any Loan due the Bank
    by the Borrower;

    2. Breach or failure to perform by the  Borrower of any terms or  conditions
    as set forth in this  Agreement,  or any  obligation  of the Borrower to the
    Bank;

    3. If any  representation,  statement  or warranty  made or furnished in any
    manner to the Bank by the Borrower in connection  with this Agreement or the
    Loan was false in any material respect when made or furnished;

    4. A material adverse change in the business, assets, financial condition or
    prospects for that particular  Borrower (but no such adverse change shall be
    deemed to have  occurred  as a result of a decline in net  assets  resulting
    from redemptions by shareholders or investors or as a result of a decline in
    the value of the securities held by the Borrower),  as reasonably determined
    by the Bank, has occurred;

    5. A material  adverse  change,  as reasonably  determined by the Bank shall
    have occurred in the facts or information disclosed to the Bank or otherwise
    relied on by the Bank in considering requests hereunder;

    6. If, by reason of any  default  by the  Borrower,  any  obligation  of the
    Borrower to any other  person or entity for money  borrowed or on account of
    any bond, note or debenture is accelerated prior to maturity;

    7. Upon termination of existence,  insolvency, business failure, appointment
    of a receiver of any part of the property of the  Borrower,  assignment  for
    the benefit of creditors by, the calling of a meeting of  creditors,  or the
    commencement of any voluntary or involuntary proceeding under any bankruptcy
    or insolvency laws by or against the Borrower or any co-maker, accommodation


<PAGE>



    maker, surety, or guarantor of the Borrower,  or entry of any final judgment
    or order  against them for the payment of money in excess of $500,000  shall
    be rendered  against the  Borrower  and such  judgment or order shall remain
    unsatisfied, undischarged, or unstayed for a period of 10 days; or

    8. Upon the  issuance of or notice of any tax levy,  attachment,  by trustee
    process or otherwise,  levy of execution or other process issued against the
    Borrower.

Upon the  occurrence  of any of the events  specified in the  preceding  section
hereof, or at any time thereafter,  the Bank may, at its option,  terminate this
Agreement and declare any Loans made to such Borrower  under the Committed  Line
of Credit to be  immediately  due and payable.  The Bank shall  thereafter  have
available  to it all other  rights and  remedies  hereunder,  or under any other
agreement  or paper  executed by the  Borrower,  or  available to the Bank under
applicable  law.  Furthermore,  the Borrower  authorizes IFTC in its capacity as
Custodian to the Borrower,  in accordance with the Instruction and  Confirmation
Certificate  affixed hereto as Exhibit V, to dispose of the Borrower's assets as
selected by the Borrower's  investment  adviser to the extent necessary to repay
all amounts due to the Bank.

Any Borrower may terminate the Committed  Line of Credit by giving five (5) days
irrevocable  prior  written  notice to the Bank and repaying in full all amounts
then outstanding to it under the Committed Line of Credit or the Note.

The Bank agrees that prior to assigning to any other lender (but not the Federal
Reserve  Bank) any of its rights and  obligations  under the  Committed  Line of
Credit or the Note, or granting to any other lender any  participation in any of
such rights and  obligations,  the Bank will obtain the Borrowers' prior written
consent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

Copies of all notices and  confirmations  hereunder  and under the Note shall be
sent to the Bank at its address above,  Attention:  Edward A. Siegel,  Assistant
Vice  President,  and to a Borrower at its address on the signature page hereto,
to the attention of the person  signing on behalf of that  Borrower,  or to such
other address or person for notice as the parties  shall have last  furnished in
writing to the person giving the notice.

Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made and to
have become effective (i) if delivered by hand,  overnight  courier or facsimile
to a  responsible  officer of the party to which it is directed,  at the time of
receipt  thereof by such  officer or the sending of such  facsimile  and (ii) if
sent by registered or certified  first-class mail, postage prepaid, on the third
business day following the mailing thereof.

This Agreement shall take effect as a sealed instrument and shall be governed by
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  of the  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.  The Agreement and the Note  constitute the entire  understanding
between  the  Borrowers  and the Bank on this  subject and  supersede  all prior
discussions. If the foregoing satisfactorily sets forth the terms and conditions
of the Committed Line of Credit,  please execute and return the enclosed copy of
this  Agreement  together  with the enclosed  documents  and the opinion of your
outside counsel concerning this transaction.

                              Sincerely,

                              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

                              By:  ____________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

<PAGE>



ACCEPTED:

Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

Rockwood Fund, Inc.



By:  __________________________
       Name:
       Title:

Address:

11 Hanover Square
New York, New York 10005



<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX I



             BORROWER                                Investment Adviser
Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:           Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

Rockwood Fund, Inc.                          Aspen Securities and Advisory, Inc.
- -------------------------                    -----------------------------------







<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT I

                              LOAN ADVANCE/PAYDOWN
                                  REQUEST FORM



DATE:
                 ----------------------------------------------

TO:              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                 ----------------------------------------------

ATTN:            Chuck Reid/Ned Siegel
                 facsimile:  (617) 537-2663
                 ----------------------------------------------

FROM:            [insert borrower]
                 ----------------------------------------------

ON BEHALF OF:    [insert fund name, if a series]
                 ----------------------------------------------


SUBJECT:

In connection  with the Agreement  dated July 1, 1997 with State Street Bank and
Trust Company,  please increase or reduce the  outstanding  balance as indicated
below.  The Loan should be recorded on the books of the Borrower to the Bank and
interest payable to the Bank should be recorded at the agreed upon rate.


                   Increase/           Cumulative             Total Assets
                   (Decrease)          Balance
Date               the Loan by         Outstanding

                   $                   $                       $
- ---------------    -------------       ----------------        -----------

Further, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

      1.      Proceeds from the advance shall be limited to conform with the 
              usage specified in the Agreement, and

      2. The Borrower is in compliance  with all the terms and conditions in the
Agreement.



                                By:
                                Name:
                                Title:
                                Date:
                                ----------------------------------------------


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT II

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$1,000,000                                                 July 1, 1997
                                                           Boston, Massachusetts



     For  value  received,   each  of  the  undersigned,   (each  herein  called
"Borrower"),  severally and not jointly hereby promise(s) to pay to the order of
State Street Bank and Trust  Company  (herein  called  "Bank") at the  principal
office of Bank at 225 Franklin  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,  or such
other place as the holder hereof shall designate

                               $1 MILLION DOLLARS

or, if less, the aggregate principal amount of all loans made by the Bank to the
applicable  Borrower  pursuant  to the  Agreement  dated  July  1,  1997 as such
agreement  may be amended,  extended or replaced,  as evidenced on the books and
records of the Bank,  together  with  interest on each loan at the rate or rates
per annum set forth in the Agreement.

     Interest  on the unpaid  balance  of each loan shall be payable  monthly in
arrears,  at the rate per annum set forth in the  Agreement.  Interest  shall be
calculated  on the basis of actual  days  elapsed  and a 360-day  year.  Overdue
payments of principal (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal to 2% (two  percent),  above the Prime  Rate in effect  from time to time.
"Prime  Rate" shall mean the rate of interest  announced  by the Bank in Boston,
Massachusetts from time to time as its "Prime Rate".

     All loans  hereunder  and all payments on account of principal and interest
hereof  shall be recorded  on the books and records of the Bank.  The entries on
the books and records of the Bank  (including  any appearing on this Note) shall
be prima facie evidence of amounts outstanding hereunder, absent manifest error.

     The obligations of each Borrower under this Note are several and not joint.
The  principal  amount  of the  Committed  Line  of  Credit  made  for  use by a
particular Borrower and interest thereon shall be paid or repaid solely from the
assets of such Borrower (or series  thereof,  if the borrowing is made on behalf
of a series of the  Borrower),  and the Bank shall have no right of  recourse or
offset, or any other right whatsoever, against the assets of any other series of
the Borrower or any other Borrower.  A default by any particular  Borrower shall
not, by itself, constitute a default by any other Borrower hereunder.

     Each Borrower hereby waives presentment,  demand,  notice,  protest and all
other  demands  and  notices  in  connection  with  the  delivery,   acceptance,
performance,  default or  enforcement  hereof and consents that this Note may be
extended  from time to time and that no  extension  or other  indulgence  and no
substitution,  release or surrender of collateral  shall  discharge or otherwise
affect the  liability of the  Borrower.  No delay or omission on the part of the
Bank in exercising any right  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver of such right
or of any other right hereunder, and a waiver of any such right


<PAGE>



on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any such 
right on any future occasion.  "Holder" means the payee or any endorsee of this
Note who is in possession of it.

     This Note shall take effect as a sealed instrument and shall be governed by
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  of The  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.


                                     Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
                                     Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

                                     Rockwood Fund, Inc.


                                     By:_______________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
                                          Date:




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT III

                              OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE

I,  _______________________  , do  hereby  certify  that I am the  duly  elected
Secretary   of   ____________________________________________   ,   a   Maryland
corporation (the  "Corporation"),  and that as such officer,  I am authorized to
execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Trust.
In that capacity I do hereby further certify as follows:

1.  Attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  A is  full,  true  and  correct  copy  of the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  and  said  Certificate  of
Incorporation remains in full force and effect on the date hereof;

2. Attached  hereto as Exhibit B is a full, true and correct copy of the By-Laws
of the  Corporation,  and said By-Laws remain in full force and effect as of the
date hereof;

3.  Attached  hereto as Exhibit C are true,  correct and complete  copies of the
votes  adopted  by the  Board of the  Corporation  on , 199_ ,  authorizing  the
Borrower to borrow from time to time in accordance  with the terms  described in
this Agreement, which resolutions are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date hereof;

4. Attached hereto as Exhibit D are full, true and correct copies of the current
prospectus and statement of additional information for the Corporation;

5.  Attached hereto as Exhibit E and F are full, true and correct copies of the 
Annual Report to ---------------  Shareholders dated   , 199_  , and Semi-Annual
Report to Shareholders dated       , 199_ , and

6. The  following are the duly  elected,  qualified  and acting  officers of the
Corporation, holding the offices set forth below their respective names, and the
signature of each such officer  (where set forth hereon) is such  officer's true
and genuine signature:

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth  my hand  this  ____  day of
__________, 199__

Name:___________________________

The undersigned being the _____________________ of the Corporation,  DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT  _________________________  is duly  elected,  qualified and acting
Secretary of the  Corporation  and that the signature set forth above is his/her
true and genuine signature.

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth my hand  this  _____  day of
__________, 199__.




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT IV

                            LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL





<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT V


                    INSTRUCTION AND CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE

                              BORROWER'S LETTERHEAD

                                  July 1, 1997


TO:  Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
      127 West Tenth Street
      Kansas City, MO 64105

  RE:  Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
      Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

       Rockwood Fund, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter  serves as  confirmation  that the mutual funds listed in Appendix I
(each, a "Borrower") are authorized under the Committed Line of Credit to borrow
in the aggregate up to $1 million from State Street Bank and Trust  Company,  as
lender (the "Bank").

Pursuant to the terms  contained in an Agreement  dated July 1, 1997,  each Loan
made to the Borrower (or series thereof,  as applicable) shall be made only with
respect to a specific  Borrower  and shall be repaid  solely  from the assets of
that  Borrower (or series  thereof,  if the Borrower is borrowing on behalf of a
particular  series),  and the Bank shall have no right of recourse or offset, or
any other  right  whatsoever,  against  the  assets of any other  Borrower  with
respect to such Loan or any default in respect thereof.

Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC"),  in its capacity as custodian of the
Borrower  (the  "Custodian"),  under the  Custodian  Contract  (s)  between  the
Borrower  and  IFTC,  dated  __________________________  ,  19___  ,  is  hereby
authorized and directed by the Borrower to dispose of the  Borrower's  assets as
selected by the Borrower's  investment  adviser to the extent necessary to repay
all amounts due to the Bank to the extent that the Loans have not been paid when
due or if a default occurs as defined in the Agreement dated July 1, 1997.

The Custodian is hereby directed to act on any written  instructions you receive
from  the  Bank  with  respect  to the  disposal  of the  Borrower's  assets  to
accomplish the foregoing.  These  instructions  may not be amended or terminated
without the prior written consent of the Bank.





<PAGE>



IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned  has duly caused these  instructions to be
executed on this _____ day of ________, 19___.


                                        Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
                                        Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

                               Rockwood Fund, Inc.



                                  By: ___________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


IFTC,  by signing  below,  acknowledges  receipt of, and hereby agrees to accept
instructions in accordance with the foregoing confirmation.

INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY

By: ____________________________
      Name:
      Title:



<PAGE>



                        EXECUTION COPY OF PROMISSORY NOTE



<PAGE>



                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$1,000,000                                                July 1, 1997
                                                          Boston, Massachusetts



     For  value  received,   each  of  the  undersigned,   (each  herein  called
"Borrower"),  severally and not jointly hereby promise(s) to pay to the order of
State Street Bank and Trust  Company  (herein  called  "Bank") at the  principal
office of Bank at 225 Franklin  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,  or such
other place as the holder hereof shall designate

                               $1 MILLION DOLLARS

or, if less, the aggregate principal amount of all loans made by the Bank to the
applicable  Borrower  pursuant  to the  Agreement  dated  July  1,  1997 as such
agreement  may be amended,  extended or replaced,  as evidenced on the books and
records of the Bank,  together  with  interest on each loan at the rate or rates
per annum set forth in the Agreement.

     Interest  on the unpaid  balance  of each loan shall be payable  monthly in
arrears,  at the rate per annum set forth in the  Agreement.  Interest  shall be
calculated  on the basis of actual  days  elapsed  and a 360-day  year.  Overdue
payments of principal (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal to 2% (two  percent),  above the Prime  Rate in effect  from time to time.
"Prime  Rate" shall mean the rate of interest  announced  by the Bank in Boston,
Massachusetts from time to time as its "Prime Rate".

     All loans  hereunder  and all payments on account of principal and interest
hereof  shall be recorded  on the books and records of the Bank.  The entries on
the books and records of the Bank  (including  any appearing on this Note) shall
be prima facie evidence of amounts outstanding hereunder, absent manifest error.

     The obligations of each Borrower under this Note are several and not joint.
The  principal  amount  of the  Committed  Line  of  Credit  made  for  use by a
particular Borrower and interest thereon shall be paid or repaid solely from the
assets of such Borrower, and the Bank shall have no right of recourse or offset,
or any other  right  whatsoever,  against  the assets of any other  Borrower.  A
default by any particular Borrower shall not, by itself, constitute a default by
any other Borrower hereunder.

     Each Borrower hereby waives presentment,  demand,  notice,  protest and all
other  demands  and  notices  in  connection  with  the  delivery,   acceptance,
performance,  default or  enforcement  hereof and consents that this Note may be
extended  from time to time and that no  extension  or other  indulgence  and no
substitution,  release or surrender of collateral  shall  discharge or otherwise
affect the  liability of the  Borrower.  No delay or omission on the part of the
Bank in exercising any right  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver of such right
or of any  other  right  hereunder,  and a waiver  of any such  right on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed as a bar to or waiver of any such right on any
future occasion. "Holder" means the payee or any endorsee of this Note who is in
possession of it.




<PAGE>



     This Note shall take effect as a sealed instrument and shall be governed by
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  of The  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.


                                     Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
                                     Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund

                                     Rockwood Fund, Inc.


                                     By : _______________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:
                                           Date:




<PAGE>



                     EXECUTION COPY OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE




<PAGE>



                              OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE


I,  _______________________  , do  hereby  certify  that I am the  duly  elected
Secretary   of   ____________________________________________   ,   a   Maryland
corporation (the  "Corporation"),  and that as such officer,  I am authorized to
execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Trust.
In that capacity I do hereby further certify as follows:

1.  Attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  A is  full,  true  and  correct  copy  of the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  and  said  Certificate  of
Incorporation remains in full force and effect on the date hereof;

2. Attached  hereto as Exhibit B is a full, true and correct copy of the By-Laws
of the  Corporation,  and said By-Laws remain in full force and effect as of the
date hereof;

3.  Attached  hereto as Exhibit C are true,  correct and complete  copies of the
votes  adopted  by the  Board of the  Corporation  on , 199_ ,  authorizing  the
Borrower to borrow from time to time in accordance  with the terms  described in
this Agreement, which resolutions are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date hereof;

4. Attached hereto as Exhibit D are full, true and correct copies of the current
prospectus and statement of additional information for the Corporation;

5.  Attached hereto as Exhibit E and F are full, true and correct copies of the 
Annual Report to Shareholders dated      , 199_ , and Semi-Annual Report to 
Shareholders dated          199_ , and

6. The  following are the duly  elected,  qualified  and acting  officers of the
Corporation, holding the offices set forth below their respective names, and the
signature of each such officer  (where set forth hereon) is such  officer's true
and genuine signature:

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth  my hand  this  ____  day of
__________, 199__

Name:___________________________

The undersigned being the _____________________ of the Corporation,  DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT  _________________________  is duly  elected,  qualified and acting
Secretary of the  Corporation  and that the signature set forth above is his/her
true and genuine signature.

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth my hand  this  _____  day of
__________, 199__.




<PAGE>




EXECUTION COPY OF INSTRUCTION AND CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE

(MUST BE ON BORROWER'S LETTERHEAD)



<PAGE>



                                FORM OF AGREEMENT







July 1, 1997

William J. Maynard, Vice President
The Bull & Bear Funds
11 Hanover Square
New York, New York 10005


Dear Mr. Maynard:

This is to advise you that,  based on the  information  you have furnished to us
and our  discussions  to date,  State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank")
has  established  a $15  million  uncommitted,  unsecured  line of  credit  (the
"Uncommitted  Line of Credit") for the funds (or to the extent a series  thereof
is the borrower, such series) listed in Appendix I (collectively the "Borrowers"
and each, a "Borrower"), effective July 1, 1997 (the "Effective Date"). When the
Borrower is a series of a fund listed in Appendix I, the term  "Borrower"  shall
refer only to such series.

Our willingness to provide the proposed financing is contingent upon and subject
to the terms and  conditions  in this letter (the  "Agreement").  This  facility
carries no legal  obligation on the part of the Bank to lend any amount of money
to any  Borrower at any point in time,  and the  Borrowers  will not be paying a
commitment fee for this facility.

The proceeds of advances made under the Uncommitted Line of Credit (a "Loan" and
collectively, the "Loans") may be used as follows:

    1. To  temporarily  finance the  purchase or sale of  securities  for prompt
    delivery,  if the Loan is to be repaid  promptly in the  ordinary  course of
    business upon completion of the purchase or sale transaction;

    2. To finance the redemption of a Borrower's shares; or

    3.  To  enable  the  Borrower  to meet  emergency  expenses  not  reasonably
    foreseeable  on the  Effective  Date  of  this  Agreement,  but  only if the
    Borrower submits a written statement  executed by a duly authorized  officer
    of the Borrower to the effect that the advance is  necessitated  by a change
    in circumstances  involving extreme hardship,  not reasonably foreseeable on
    the Effective Date of this Agreement.

In any event,  a Loan must be repaid in full  within 60 days from the date of an
advance.




<PAGE>



The following are attached as exhibits:

    1. A Loan  request  in the form  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  I (the  "Loan
    Advance/Paydown Request Form") stating the principal amount of the requested
    Loan  and  warranting,  at the time of  borrowing,  (i)  compliance  by such
    Borrower  with the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended  (the "1940
    Act") and the  Prospectus  and  Statement of Additional  Information  of the
    Borrower, and (ii) use of the Loan in accordance with this Agreement;

    2. A Promissory Note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II;

    3. An Officer's Certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit III;

    4. An  opinion of counsel to the  Borrowers  in a form  satisfactory  to the
    Bank, attached hereto as Exhibit IV; and

5.  An Instruction and  Confirmation  Certificate in the form attached hereto as
    Exhibit V addressed to Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company  ("IFTC") in its
    capacity as custodian.

At the time the Agreement is executed,  the Bank shall have received an executed
Promissory Note, an executed Officer's  Certificate,  an opinion of counsel in a
form  satisfactory  to the Bank, and an executed  Instruction  and  Confirmation
Certificate.

All Loans made  under the  Uncommitted  Line of Credit  will be  evidenced  by a
Promissory  Note in the form  attached  hereto as Exhibit  II.  The  outstanding
amount  of the  Loan(s)  set forth on the  Bank's  books  and  records  shall be
conclusive  evidence of the  principal  amount  thereof  owing and unpaid to the
Bank,  absent  manifest  error.  The  failure  to  record,  or any  error  in so
recording,  any such amount on the Bank's books and records, or any other record
maintained by the Bank,  shall not limit or otherwise  affect the  obligation of
each  Borrower  hereunder  or under  the  Promissory  Note to make  payments  of
principal of and interest on the Promissory Note when due.

At the time each Loan is made,  a Borrower  and the Bank  shall  agree as to the
principal  amount of each Loan, the interest rate  applicable to each Loan prior
to maturity,  and the term thereof,  provided that no Loan shall have a maturity
date more than 60 days from the date  such Loan is made.  Loans  made  under the
Uncommitted Line of Credit will be available at the Overnight Federal Funds rate
as in effect from time to time,  plus a spread to be  determined  at the time of
borrowing. Interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan shall be payable
at Maturity on the same day as the principal  amount of such Loan is paid or, if
the Loan is paid prior to Maturity,  on the 15th  business day of the  following
month  at the  rate  determined  at the  time of  borrowing.  Interest  shall be
calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed for a 360-day year.  Requests for
advances or decreases under the  Uncommitted  Line of Credit will be made on the
Loan  Advance/Paydown  Request Form, attached as Exhibit I to this Agreement and
delivered to the Bank at the time of the request. At the time each Loan is made,
the Bank shall mail to the  applicable  Borrower a written  confirmation  of the
amount of such Loan and the interest rate initially applicable thereto.

The Bank will honor requests for Loans under the Uncommitted  Line of Credit for
a 364-day period commencing on the Effective Date.




<PAGE>



Temporary or emergency  borrowings in the aggregate will be limited to an amount
not greater than 20% of the value of the applicable  Borrower's total net assets
(the "Leverage Covenant"), at the time the borrowing is made, or a lesser amount
to the extent provided in the Borrower's  Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information  or the 1940 Act  registration  statement,  as the case may be.  The
Leverage   Covenant  is  calculated  as  follows:   ((total  assets  less  total
liabilities) plus aggregate bank borrowings)/aggregate bank borrowings.

If at any  time a  Borrower  is in  violation  of the  Leverage  Covenant,  that
Borrower is required  within three (3) business days to repay Loans in an amount
sufficient to achieve compliance with the Leverage Covenant.

Each  Borrower  hereby  promises to pay the  principal and interest of each Loan
made to it and  related  fees on the day  when  due to the  Bank at its  address
stated above.  Each Borrower hereby  authorizes the Bank, if and to the extent a
payment is owed by that  Borrower,  to charge  against  the  Borrower's  deposit
account  with  the  Bank  any  amount  so due on the  15th  business  day of the
following month.

Each  Borrower  agrees  that it shall  not  borrow  from any other  bank,  issue
preferred  stock or  create,  incur  or  assume  or  suffer  to  exist  any lien
(statutory or otherwise), security interest, priority, conditional sale, pledge,
charge or other encumbrance or similar rights of others or any agreement to give
any of the foregoing liens, upon or with respect to any of its properties, owned
or acquired during such period,  except as a result of its investment activities
as  described  in its  then  current  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional
Information or Registration  Statement  under the 1940 Act, and  indebtedness in
favor of the  Borrower's  custodian  consisting of extensions of credit from the
custodian in the ordinary course of business to cover securities trades or liens
in  favor  of  the  Borrower's   custodian   granted  pursuant  to  the  custody
agreement(s) in force.

Each  Borrower  agrees to  furnish  to the Bank (1) a  statement  of assets  and
liabilities  as of the  end of  each  semi-annual  period;  (2)  audited  annual
statements;  (3) the portfolio of investments as of the end of each  semi-annual
period;  and (4) proxy  materials,  reports to the  shareholders  and such other
information as the Bank shall reasonably request from time to time. Such audited
annual  statements  and  semi-annual  statements  shall  present  fairly  in all
material  respects  the  financial  position of the  Borrower  and conform  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

Each  Borrower  agrees  that it will not  change  its  investment  objective  or
fundamental  investment  policies,  as set forth in the  Borrower's  most recent
Statement  of  Additional  Information  or most recent  Prospectus,  without the
consent of the Bank. Each Borrower agrees that it will be a default hereunder if
the  investment  adviser set forth  opposite the  Borrower's  name on Appendix I
ceases to be its  investment  adviser,  or the  Borrower  changes its  Custodian
without  the  consent  of the  Bank,  which  consent  will  not be  unreasonably
withheld.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, each Loan made 
to a Borrower shall be made only with respect to that Borrower and shall be 
repaid solely from the assets of that Borrower, or a series of that Borrower as 
the case may be, and the Bank shall have no right of recourse or offset, or any 
other right whatsoever, against the assets of any other series of the
Borrower or any other Borrower with respect to such Loan or any default in 
respect thereof.  A default by any Borrower shall not, by itself, constitute a 
default by any other Borrower hereunder.  A default by a Borrower under the 
Uncommitted Line of Credit shall constitute a default by that Borrower and only 
that Borrower under the Leveraging Line of Credit.  Similarly, a default by a


<PAGE>



Borrower under the Leveraging  Line of Credit shall also constitute a default by
that Borrower and only that Borrower under the Uncommitted Line of Credit.

As an inducement to the Bank to extend the  Uncommitted  Line of Credit,  and at
any time Loans are  outstanding  to a Borrower or at any time a Loan  Request is
made by that Borrower,  that Borrower  represents and warrants to the Bank as to
itself and not as to any other Borrower that:

    1. The Borrower is, or is a series of a corporation, duly organized, validly
    existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  its
    organization  and has all corporate  powers and all  governmental  licenses,
    authorizations,  consents and approvals required to carry on its business as
    now conducted;

    2.  Neither the Bank nor any  affiliate of the Bank  individually  or in the
    aggregate owns,  controls or holds with the power to vote, 5% or more of the
    outstanding  shares of the Borrower or any  affiliate of the  Borrower,  and
    neither  the  Borrower  nor  any  affiliate  of the  Borrower,  directly  or
    indirectly,  individually or in the aggregate,  owns, controls or holds with
    the power to vote, 5% or more of the  outstanding  voting  securities of the
    Bank or any affiliate of the Bank known to the Borrower;

    3.  Neither the  Borrower nor any  affiliate  of the  Borrower,  directly or
    indirectly,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  controls  or,  to the best
    knowledge  of the  Borrower  after due inquiry,  is  controlled  by or under
    common  control  of the  Bank or any  affiliate  of the  Bank  known  to the
    Borrower.  Furthermore,  no  officer,  director,  trustee or employee of the
    Borrower or any  affiliate  of the Borrower is an  affiliated  person of the
    Bank or of any affiliate of the Bank known to the Borrower;

    4.  The Borrower has no subsidiaries;

    5. The  Borrower is not a member of an ERISA group and has no  liability  in
    respect of any benefit  arrangement,  plan or multi-employer plan subject to
    ERISA;

    6. The Borrower  qualifies as a "regulated  investment  company"  within the
    meaning of the Internal  Revenue  Code,  and as such,  because it intends to
    timely  distribute  all  its  income   (including   capital  gains)  to  its
    shareholders, its income will not be subject to tax at the trust level under
    the Internal  Revenue Code. The Borrower has filed all United States Federal
    income tax returns and all other  material tax returns which are required to
    be filed by it and has  paid all  taxes  due  pursuant  to such  returns  or
    pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower.  The charges,  accruals
    and  reserves  on the Books of the  Borrower  in  respect  of taxes or other
    governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate;

    7. All  information  heretofore  furnished  by the  Borrower to the Bank for
    purposes  of or  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or  any  transaction
    contemplated hereby is, and all such information  hereafter furnished by the
    Borrower to the Bank will be, true and accurate in all material  respects on
    the date as of which such  information is stated or certified.  The Borrower
    has disclosed to the Bank in writing any and all facts which, to the best of
    the Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry,  materially and adversely affect
    or may affect (to the extent the Borrower can now reasonably  foresee),  the
    business,  operations or financial  condition of the Borrower or the ability
    of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Note;



<PAGE>




    8. The  execution,  delivery and  performance  of all of the  agreements and
    instruments in connection with the Uncommitted Line of Credit are within the
    Borrower's  power and  authority  and have been  authorized by all necessary
    proceedings  and  will  not  contravene  any  provision  of  the  Borrower's
    organizational  documents, by laws, then-current Prospectus and Statement of
    Additional Information (or 1940 Act registration  statement, as the case may
    be) or any agreement or undertaking binding upon the Borrower;

    9. There is no litigation,  proceeding or investigation  pending,  or to the
    knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower, which would have
    a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Borrower's  ability  to carry  out its
    obligations hereunder or under the Note;

      10. The Borrower has statutory  authority to enter into this Agreement and
      any loan requests  hereunder  will not result in an aggregate of all loans
      outstanding  which  exceed  the  limits  permitted  under  the  Borrower's
      then-current  Prospectus and Statement of Additional  Information (or 1940
      Act  registration  statement,  as the case may be),  the 1940 Act,  or any
      applicable  rule,  regulation,  statute or Leverage  Covenant,  as defined
      herein;

      11. The Borrower is a registered  management  investment company under the
      1940 Act and the  shares  of  common  stock  of each  Borrower  have  been
      registered  under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  and  applicable  state  securities  or
      so-called "Blue Sky" laws; and

      12. The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with applicable
      law, including the 1940 Act and Federal Reserve Regulation U.

Upon the occurrence of any of the following  events,  a Borrower shall be deemed
to be in default under this Agreement:

    1. Failure of a Borrower to make payment when due of any Loan;  or available
    cash in the deposit  account is  insufficient to repay any Loan due the Bank
    by the Borrower;

    2. Breach or failure to perform by the  Borrower of any terms or  conditions
    as set forth in this  Agreement,  or any  obligation  of the Borrower to the
    Bank;

    3. If any  representation,  statement  or warranty  made or furnished in any
    manner to the Bank by the Borrower in connection  with this Agreement or the
    Loan was false in any material respect when made or furnished;

    4. A material adverse change in the business, assets, financial condition or
    prospects for that particular  Borrower (but no such adverse change shall be
    deemed to have  occurred  as a result of a decline in net  assets  resulting
    from redemptions by shareholders or investors or as a result of a decline in
    the value of the securities held by the Borrower),  as reasonably determined
    by the Bank, has occurred;

    5. A material  adverse  change,  as reasonably  determined by the Bank shall
    have occurred in the facts or information disclosed to the Bank or otherwise
    relied on by the Bank in considering requests hereunder;



<PAGE>




    6. If, by reason of any  default  by the  Borrower,  any  obligation  of the
    Borrower to any other  person or entity for money  borrowed or on account of
    any bond, note or debenture is accelerated prior to maturity;

    7. Upon termination of existence,  insolvency, business failure, appointment
    of a receiver of any part of the property of the  Borrower,  assignment  for
    the benefit of creditors by, the calling of a meeting of  creditors,  or the
    commencement of any voluntary or involuntary proceeding under any bankruptcy
    or insolvency laws by or against the Borrower or any co-maker, accommodation
    maker, surety, or guarantor of the Borrower,  or entry of any final judgment
    or order  against them for the payment of money in excess of $500,000  shall
    be rendered  against the  Borrower  and such  judgment or order shall remain
    unsatisfied, undischarged, or unstayed for a period of 10 days; or

    8. Upon the  issuance of or notice of any tax levy,  attachment,  by trustee
    process or otherwise,  levy of execution or other process issued against the
    Borrower.

Upon the  occurrence  of any of the events  specified in the  preceding  section
hereof, or at any time thereafter,  the Bank may, at its option,  terminate this
Agreement and declare any Loans made to such Borrower under the Uncommitted Line
of Credit to be  immediately  due and payable.  The Bank shall  thereafter  have
available  to it all other  rights and  remedies  hereunder,  or under any other
agreement  or paper  executed by the  Borrower,  or  available to the Bank under
applicable  law.  Furthermore,  the Borrower  authorizes IFTC in its capacity as
Custodian to the Borrower,  in accordance with the Instruction and  Confirmation
Certificate  affixed hereto as Exhibit V, to dispose of the Borrower's assets as
selected by the Borrower's  investment  adviser to the extent necessary to repay
all amounts due to the Bank.

Any Borrower may  terminate  the  Uncommitted  Line of Credit by giving five (5)
days  irrevocable  prior  written  notice to the Bank and  repaying  in full all
amounts then outstanding to it under the Uncommitted Line of Credit or the Note.

The Bank agrees that prior to assigning to any other lender (but not the Federal
Reserve Bank) any of its rights and obligations  under the  Uncommitted  Line of
Credit or the Note, or granting to any other lender any  participation in any of
such rights and  obligations,  the Bank will obtain the Borrowers' prior written
consent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

Copies of all notices and  confirmations  hereunder  and under the Note shall be
sent to the Bank at its address above,  Attention:  Edward A. Siegel,  Assistant
Vice  President,  and to a Borrower at its address on the signature page hereto,
to the attention of the person  signing on behalf of that  Borrower,  or to such
other address or person for notice as the parties  shall have last  furnished in
writing to the person giving the notice.

Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made and to
have become effective (i) if delivered by hand,  overnight  courier or facsimile
to a  responsible  officer of the party to which it is directed,  at the time of
receipt  thereof by such  officer or the sending of such  facsimile  and (ii) if
sent by registered or certified  first-class mail, postage prepaid, on the third
business day following the mailing thereof.



<PAGE>



This Agreement shall take effect as a sealed instrument and shall be governed by
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  of the  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.  The Agreement and the Note  constitute the entire  understanding
between  the  Borrowers  and the Bank on this  subject and  supersede  all prior
discussions. If the foregoing satisfactorily sets forth the terms and conditions
of the Uncommitted  Line of Credit,  please execute and return the enclosed copy
of this Agreement  together with the enclosed  documents and the opinion of your
outside counsel concerning this transaction.

                              Sincerely,

                              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                              By:  ____________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

      ACCEPTED:

Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund
Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. on behalf of:
Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves
Rockwood Fund, Inc.
Midas Fund, Inc.
Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.
Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.

By:  __________________________
       Name:
       Title:

Address:

11 Hanover Square
New York, New York 10005



<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX I



              BORROWER                                  Investment Adviser
- --------------------------------------        ---------------------------------
Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund                 Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. on behalf of:
Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves                        Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
Rockwood Fund, Inc.                          Aspen Securities and Advisory, Inc.
Midas Fund, Inc.                                   Midas Management Corporation
Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.                    Midas Management Corporation
Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.            Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.    Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.              Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.                 Bull & Bear Advisers, Inc.
- ----------------------------------------          -----------------------------





<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT I

                              LOAN ADVANCE/PAYDOWN
                                  REQUEST FORM



DATE:
                            ---------------------------------------------

TO:                         STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                            ----------------------------------------------

ATTN:                       Chuck Reid/Ned Siegel
                            facsimile:  (617) 537-2663
                            ----------------------------------------------

FROM:                       [insert borrower]
                            ----------------------------------------------

ON BEHALF OF:               [insert fund name, if a series]
                            ----------------------------------------------


SUBJECT:

In connection  with the Agreement  dated July 1, 1997 with State Street Bank and
Trust Company,  please increase or reduce the  outstanding  balance as indicated
below.  The Loan should be recorded on the books of the Borrower to the Bank and
interest payable to the Bank should be recorded at the agreed upon rate.


                    Increase/            Cumulative               Total Assets
                    (Decrease)           Balance
Date                the Loan by          Outstanding

                    $                   $                         $
- -----------         ------------        -------------             --------------

Further, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

      1.      Proceeds from the advance shall be limited to conform with the 
              usage specified in the Agreement, and

      2. The Borrower is in compliance  with all the terms and conditions in the
Agreement.



By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
              ---------------------------------------------------




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT II

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$15,000,000                                               July 1, 1997
                                                          Boston, Massachusetts

     For  value  received,   each  of  the  undersigned,   (each  herein  called
"Borrower"),  severally and not jointly hereby promise(s) to pay to the order of
State Street Bank and Trust  Company  (herein  called  "Bank") at the  principal
office of Bank at 225 Franklin  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,  or such
other place as the holder hereof shall designate

                               $15 MILLION DOLLARS

or, if less, the aggregate principal amount of all loans made by the Bank to the
applicable  Borrower  pursuant  to the  Agreement  dated  July  1,  1997 as such
agreement  may be amended,  extended or replaced,  as evidenced on the books and
records of the Bank,  together  with  interest on each loan at the rate or rates
per annum set forth in the Agreement.

     Interest  on the unpaid  balance  of each loan shall be payable  monthly in
arrears,  at the rate per annum set forth in the  Agreement.  Interest  shall be
calculated  on the basis of actual  days  elapsed  and a 360-day  year.  Overdue
payments of principal (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal to 2% (two  percent),  above the Prime  Rate in effect  from time to time.
"Prime  Rate" shall mean the rate of interest  announced  by the Bank in Boston,
Massachusetts from time to time as its "Prime Rate".

     All loans  hereunder  and all payments on account of principal and interest
hereof  shall be recorded  on the books and records of the Bank.  The entries on
the books and records of the Bank  (including  any appearing on this Note) shall
be prima facie evidence of amounts outstanding hereunder, absent manifest error.

     The obligations of each Borrower under this Note are several and not joint.
The  principal  amount  of the  Uncommitted  Line of  Credit  made  for use by a
particular Borrower and interest thereon shall be paid or repaid solely from the
assets of such Borrower (or series  thereof,  if the borrowing is made on behalf
of a series of the  Borrower),  and the Bank shall have no right of  recourse or
offset, or any other right whatsoever, against the assets of any other series of
the Borrower or any other Borrower.  A default by any particular  Borrower shall
not, by itself, constitute a default by any other Borrower hereunder.

     Each Borrower hereby waives presentment,  demand,  notice,  protest and all
other  demands  and  notices  in  connection  with  the  delivery,   acceptance,
performance,  default or  enforcement  hereof and consents that this Note may be
extended  from time to time and that no  extension  or other  indulgence  and no
substitution,  release or surrender of collateral  shall  discharge or otherwise
affect the  liability of the  Borrower.  No delay or omission on the part of the
Bank in exercising any right  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver of such right
or of any  other  right  hereunder,  and a waiver  of any such  right on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed as a bar to or waiver of any such right on any
future occasion. "Holder" means the payee or any endorsee of this Note who is in
possession of it.


<PAGE>



     This Note shall take effect as a sealed instrument and shall be governed by
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  of The  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.

                           Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
                           Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund
                           Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. on behalf of:
                           Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves
                           Rockwood Fund, Inc.
                           Midas Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.
                           Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.


                           By: _______________________
                                     Name:
                                 Title:
                                 Date:




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT III

                              OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE

I,  _______________________  , do  hereby  certify  that I am the  duly  elected
Secretary   of   ____________________________________________   ,   a   Maryland
corporation (the  "Corporation"),  and that as such officer,  I am authorized to
execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Trust.
In that capacity I do hereby further certify as follows:

1.  Attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  A is  full,  true  and  correct  copy  of the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  and  said  Certificate  of
Incorporation remains in full force and effect on the date hereof;

2. Attached  hereto as Exhibit B is a full, true and correct copy of the By-Laws
of the  Corporation,  and said By-Laws remain in full force and effect as of the
date hereof;

3.  Attached  hereto as Exhibit C are true,  correct and complete  copies of the
votes  adopted  by the  Board of the  Corporation  on , 199_ ,  authorizing  the
Borrower to borrow from time to time in accordance  with the terms  described in
this Agreement, which resolutions are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date hereof;

4. Attached hereto as Exhibit D are full, true and correct copies of the current
prospectus and statement of additional information for the Corporation;

5.  Attached hereto as Exhibit E and F are full, true and correct copies of the 
Annual Report to Shareholders dated      , 199_ , and Semi-Annual Report to 
Shareholders dated      , 199_ , and

6. The  following are the duly  elected,  qualified  and acting  officers of the
Corporation, holding the offices set forth below their respective names, and the
signature of each such officer  (where set forth hereon) is such  officer's true
and genuine signature:

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth  my hand  this  ____  day of
__________, 199__

Name:___________________________

The undersigned being the _____________________ of the Corporation,  DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT  _________________________  is duly  elected,  qualified and acting
Secretary of the  Corporation  and that the signature set forth above is his/her
true and genuine signature.

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth my hand  this  _____  day of
__________, 199__.




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT IV

                            LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL




<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT V

                    INSTRUCTION AND CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE

                              BORROWER'S LETTERHEAD

                                  July 1, 1997

TO:  Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
      127 West Tenth Street
      Kansas City, MO 64105

RE:      1.  Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
              Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund
         2.  Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. on behalf of:
              Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves
         3.  Rockwood Fund, Inc.
         4.  Midas Fund, Inc.
         5.  Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.
         6.  Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
         7.  Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
         8.  Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
         9.  Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter  serves as  confirmation  that the mutual funds listed in Appendix I
(each, a "Borrower")  are  authorized  under the  Uncommitted  Line of Credit to
borrow in the  aggregate  up to $15  million  from State  Street  Bank and Trust
Company, as lender (the "Bank").

Pursuant to the terms  contained in the Agreement  dated July 1, 1997, each Loan
made to a Borrower (or series  thereof,  as applicable)  shall be made only with
respect to a specific  Borrower  and shall be repaid  solely  from the assets of
that  Borrower (or series  thereof,  if the Borrower is borrowing on behalf of a
particular  series),  and the Bank shall have no right of recourse or offset, or
any other  right  whatsoever,  against  the  assets of any other  Borrower  with
respect to such Loan or any default in respect thereof.

Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC"),  in its capacity as custodian of the
Borrower  (the  "Custodian"),  under the  Custodian  Contract  (s)  between  the
Borrower  and IFTC,  dated  ______________  , 19___ , is hereby  authorized  and
directed by the Borrower to dispose of the Borrower's  assets as selected by the
Borrower's  investment advise r to the extent necessary to repay all amounts due
to the Bank to the  extent  that the  Loans  have not been paid when due or if a
default occurs as defined in the Agreement dated July 1, 1997.

The Custodian is hereby directed to act on any written  instructions you receive
from  the  Bank  with  respect  to the  disposal  of the  Borrower's  assets  to
accomplish the foregoing.  These  instructions  may not be amended or terminated
without the prior written consent of the Bank.




<PAGE>



IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned  has duly caused these  instructions to be
executed on this _____ day of ________, 199__.

                     Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
                     Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund
                     Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. on behalf of:
                     Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves
                     Rockwood Fund, Inc.
                     Midas Fund, Inc.
                     Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.
                     Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                     Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
                     Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
                     Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.



                                    By: ___________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


IFTC,  by signing  below,  acknowledges  receipt of, and hereby agrees to accept
instructions in accordance with the foregoing confirmation.

INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY

By: ____________________________
      Name:
     Title:



<PAGE>



                        EXECUTION COPY OF PROMISSORY NOTE




<PAGE>




                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$15,000,000                                                July 1, 1997
                                                           Boston, Massachusetts

     For  value  received,   each  of  the  undersigned,   (each  herein  called
"Borrower"),  severally and not jointly hereby promise(s) to pay to the order of
State Street Bank and Trust  Company  (herein  called  "Bank") at the  principal
office of Bank at 225 Franklin  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,  or such
other place as the holder hereof shall designate

                               $15 MILLION DOLLARS

or, if less, the aggregate principal amount of all loans made by the Bank to the
applicable  Borrower  pursuant  to the  Agreement  dated  July  1,  1997 as such
agreement  may be amended,  extended or replaced,  as evidenced on the books and
records of the Bank,  together  with  interest on each loan at the rate or rates
per annum set forth in the Agreement.

     Interest  on the unpaid  balance  of each loan shall be payable  monthly in
arrears,  at the rate per annum set forth in the  Agreement.  Interest  shall be
calculated  on the basis of actual  days  elapsed  and a 360-day  year.  Overdue
payments of principal (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal to 2% (two  percent),  above the Prime  Rate in effect  from time to time.
"Prime  Rate" shall mean the rate of interest  announced  by the Bank in Boston,
Massachusetts from time to time as its "Prime Rate".

     All loans  hereunder  and all payments on account of principal and interest
hereof  shall be recorded  on the books and records of the Bank.  The entries on
the books and records of the Bank  (including  any appearing on this Note) shall
be prima facie evidence of amounts outstanding hereunder, absent manifest error.

     The obligations of each Borrower under this Note are several and not joint.
The  principal  amount  of the  Uncommitted  Line of  Credit  made  for use by a
particular Borrower and interest thereon shall be paid or repaid solely from the
assets of such Borrower (or series  thereof,  if the borrowing is made on behalf
of a series of the  Borrower),  and the Bank shall have no right of  recourse or
offset, or any other right whatsoever, against the assets of any other series of
the Borrower or any other Borrower.  A default by any particular  Borrower shall
not, by itself, constitute a default by any other Borrower hereunder.

     Each Borrower hereby waives presentment,  demand,  notice,  protest and all
other  demands  and  notices  in  connection  with  the  delivery,   acceptance,
performance,  default or  enforcement  hereof and consents that this Note may be
extended  from time to time and that no  extension  or other  indulgence  and no
substitution,  release or surrender of collateral  shall  discharge or otherwise
affect the  liability of the  Borrower.  No delay or omission on the part of the
Bank in exercising any right  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver of such right
or of any  other  right  hereunder,  and a waiver  of any such  right on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed as a bar to or waiver of any such right on any
future occasion. "Holder" means the payee or any endorsee of this Note who is in
possession of it.



<PAGE>



     This Note shall take effect as a sealed instrument and shall be governed by
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  of The  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.

                           Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. on behalf of:
                           Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund
                           Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. on behalf of:
                           Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves
                           Rockwood Fund, Inc.
                           Midas Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.
                           Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
                           Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.

                           By: _______________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:
                                 Date:




<PAGE>



                     EXECUTION COPY OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE



<PAGE>



                              OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE

I,  _______________________  , do  hereby  certify  that I am the  duly  elected
Secretary   of   ____________________________________________   ,   a   Maryland
corporation (the  "Corporation"),  and that as such officer,  I am authorized to
execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Trust.
In that capacity I do hereby further certify as follows:

1.  Attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  A is  full,  true  and  correct  copy  of the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  and  said  Certificate  of
Incorporation remains in full force and effect on the date hereof;

2. Attached  hereto as Exhibit B is a full, true and correct copy of the By-Laws
of the  Corporation,  and said By-Laws remain in full force and effect as of the
date hereof;

3.  Attached  hereto as Exhibit C are true,  correct and complete  copies of the
votes  adopted  by the  Board of the  Corporation  on , 199_ ,  authorizing  the
Borrower to borrow from time to time in accordance  with the terms  described in
this Agreement, which resolutions are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date hereof;

4. Attached hereto as Exhibit D are full, true and correct copies of the current
prospectus and statement of additional information for the Corporation;

5.  Attached hereto as Exhibit E and F are full, true and correct copies of the 
Annual Report to Shareholders dated       , 199_ , and Semi-Annual Report to 
Shareholders dated       , 199_ , and

6. The  following are the duly  elected,  qualified  and acting  officers of the
Corporation, holding the offices set forth below their respective names, and the
signature of each such officer  (where set forth hereon) is such  officer's true
and genuine signature:

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

                                    ------------------------------

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth  my hand  this  ____  day of
__________, 199__

Name:___________________________

The undersigned being the _____________________ of the Corporation,  DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT  _________________________  is duly  elected,  qualified and acting
Secretary of the  Corporation  and that the signature set forth above is his/her
true and genuine signature.

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set  forth my hand  this  _____  day of
__________, 199__.



<PAGE>


EXECUTION COPY OF INSTRUCTION AND CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE

(MUST BE ON BORROWER'S LETTERHEAD)







[DESCRIPTION]            Securities Lending Authorization Agreement


                   SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT

                                     Between

                      THE CLIENTS IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE A

                                       and

                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY





w:client\BULLBEA1.doc
(MUTUALSB)


<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                         PAGE
1.       APPOINTMENT OF STATE STREET....................................   1

2.       SECURITIES TO BE LOANED........................................   1

3.       BORROWERS......................................................   2

4.       SECURITIES Loan AGREEMENTS.....................................   3

5.       LOANS OF AVAILABLE SECURITIES..................................   4

6.       DISTRIBUTIONS ON AND VOTING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO
         LOANED SECURITIES..............................................   4

7.       COLLATERAL.....................................................   5

8.       COMPENSATION FOR THE CLIENT AND STATE STREET...................   6

9        FEE DISCLOSURE.................................................   7

10.      RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTS.....................................   7

11.      STANDARD OF CARE...............................................   8

12.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................   8

13.      DEFINITIONS....................................................   9

14.      CONTINUING AGREEMENT; TERMINATION; REMEDIES....................   10

15.      NOTICES........................................................   10

16.      MISCELLANEOUS..................................................   11

17.      SECURITIES INVESTORS PROTECTION ACT............................   11

18.      MODIFICATION...................................................   12


<PAGE>




                             EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

EXHIBIT 3.1

EXHIBIT 3.2

SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE B

SCHEDULE 7.1


<PAGE>





                   SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT

Agreement dated the ____ day of  ______________,  1997 THE CLIENTS IDENTIFIED ON
SCHEDULE A (each a "Client" or collectively,  "Clients"),  and STATE STREET BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company ("State Street"), setting forth
the terms and conditions under which State Street is authorized to act on behalf
of the Client with  respect to the lending of certain  securities  of the Client
held by State Street as trustee, agent or custodian.

Each undersigned  Client,  whether  organized as a portfolio,  series,  class of
shares, or otherwise, shall be regarded for all purposes hereunder as a separate
party apart from each other. Unless the context otherwise requires, with respect
to every transaction covered by this Agreement,  every reference herein shall be
deemed  to relate  solely to the  particular  client to which  such  transaction
relates.  Under no circumstances shall the rights,  obligations or remedies with
respect  to a  particular  Client  constitute  a  right,  obligation  or  remedy
applicable to any other Client.  The use of this single  document to memorialize
the separate  agreement of each Client is  understood  to be for  administrative
convenience  only and shall not constitute any basis for joining the Clients for
any reason.

Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 13.

The Client and State Street, as the parties hereto, hereby agree as follows:

1. Appointment of State Street. The Clients hereby authorize State Street as its
agent to lend Available  Securities to Borrowers in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement.  State Street shall have the  responsibility and authority to do
or cause to be done all acts  State  Street  shall  determine  to be  desirable,
necessary,  or appropriate to implement and administer this  securities  lending
program.  Client agrees that State Street is acting as a fully  disclosed  agent
and not as principal in connection with the securities  lending  program.  State
Street may take action as agent of the Client on an  undisclosed  or a disclosed
basis.  State Street is also hereby  authorized to request a third party bank to
undertake  certain  custodial  functions  in  connection  with  holding  of  the
Collateral  provided by a Borrower  pursuant to the terms hereof.  In connection
therewith,  State Street may instruct said third party to establish and maintain
a  Borrower's  account  and a  State  Street  account  wherein  all  Collateral,
including  cash shall be maintained  by said third party in accordance  with the
terms of a form of custodial arrangement which shall also be consistent with the
terms hereof.

         2.  Securities  to be Loaned.  State  Street acts or will act as agent,
trustee or custodian  of certain  securities  owned by the  Clients.  All of the
Clients' securities held by State Street as agent, trustee or custodian shall be
subject to this securities lending program and constitute  Available  Securities
hereunder,  except those securities  which the Client or the Investment  Manager
specifically  identifies  in  notices  to State  Street as not  being  Available
Securities.  In the absence of any such notice identifying  specific securities,
State Street shall have no authority or responsibility  for determining  whether
any of the Client's securities should be excluded from the lending program.

3. Borrowers.  The Available Securities may be loaned to any Borrower identified
on the Schedule of Borrowers, as such Schedule may be modified from time to time
by State Street and Client,  including without  limitation,  the Capital Markets
division of State Street; provided,  however, if Available Securities are loaned
to the Capital Markets division,  in addition to being consistent with the terms
hereof, said Loan shall be made in accordance with


<PAGE>



the terms of the Securities  Loan Agreement  attached  hereto as Exhibit 3.1, as
modified  form  time  to  time  in  accordance   with  the   provisions   hereof
(hereinafter,  the "State Street  Securities Loan  Agreement").  The form of the
State Street Securities Loan Agreement may be modified by State Street from time
to time,  without  the  consent  of the  Client,  in order  to  comply  with the
requirements of law or any regulatory  authority having  jurisdiction over State
Street, the Client or the securities lending program or in any other manner that
is not material and adverse to the interests of the Client.

Client  acknowledges  that it is aware that State  Street,  acting as  "Lender's
Agent" hereunder and thereunder, is or may be deemed to be the same legal entity
as State Street  acting as  "Borrower"  under the State Street  Securities  Loan
Agreement, notwithstanding the different designations used herein and therein or
the dual  roles  assumed  by  State  Street  hereunder  and  thereunder.  Client
represents that the power granted herein to State Street, as agent, to lend U.S.
Securities  owned by Client  (including,  in legal effect,  the power granted to
State  Street to make Loans to  itself)  and the other  powers  granted to State
Street,  as agent  herein,  are given  expressly for the purpose of averting and
waiving  any  prohibitions  upon such  lending or other  exercise of such powers
which might exist in the absence of such powers, and that transactions  effected
pursuant  to  and in  compliance  with  this  Agreement  and  the  State  Street
Securities  Loan  Agreement  will  not  constitute  a  breach  of trust or other
fiduciary duty by State Street.

 Client  further  acknowledges  that it has  granted  State  Street the power to
effect  securities  lending  transactions  with the Capital Markets  division of
State Street and other powers  assigned to State Street  hereunder and under the
Securities Loan  Agreements and the State Street  Securities Loan Agreement as a
result of Client's  desire to increase the opportunity for it to lend securities
held in its account on fair and reasonable terms to qualified  Borrowers without
such loans  being  considered  a breach of State  Street's  fiduciary  duty.  In
connection  therewith,  each party  hereby  agrees that it shall  furnish to the
other party (i) the most recent  available  audited  statement of its  financial
condition,  and  (ii) the  most  recent  available  unaudited  statement  of its
financial condition,  if more recent than the audited statement.  As long as any
Loan is outstanding under this Agreement, each party shall also promptly deliver
to  the  other  party  all  such  financial  information  that  is  subsequently
available,  and any other  financial  information or statements  that such other
party may reasonably request.

In the event any such Loan is made to the Capital Markets division, State Street
hereby  covenants  and agrees for the benefit of the Clients that it has adopted
and implemented  procedural  safeguards to help ensure that all actions taken by
it  hereunder  will be effected  by  individuals  other than,  and not under the
supervision of, individuals who are acting in a capacity as Borrower thereunder,
and that  all  trades  effected  hereunder  will  take  place at the same  fully
negotiated  "arms length" prices offered to similarly  situated third parties by
State  Street  when it acts  as  lending  agent,  notwithstanding  the  inherent
conflict of interest with respect to Loans to be effected by State Street to the
Capital Markets division.

In the event  Client  approves  lending  to  borrowers  resident  in the  United
Kingdom,  Client shall  complete Part 1 of the document known as a "MOD-2 form,"
which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2.

In the event that securities  lending activity is undertaken  through its London
office,  State Street  becomes  subject to additional  regulation in the UK, and
State Street is obliged to notify Client of the following matters:

i.       State Street shall make available to Client established procedures in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Futures Authority for


<PAGE>



the effective consideration of complaints concerning State Street's activities
carried on in the UK.

ii.  Where a  liability  in one  currency  is to be  matched  by an  asset  in a
different currency, or where an investment  transaction relates to an investment
denominated in a currency other than sterling,  a movement of exchange rates may
have a separate  effect,  favorable  or  unfavorable,  on the gain or loss which
would otherwise be experienced on the investment.

iii.  State Street or an affiliate  may have an interest that is material to the
investment  or  transaction  concerned  and  neither  State  Street nor any such
affiliate  shall be obliged to disclose  such  interest or account to Client for
any profits or benefits made or derived by it or any of its associates  from any
such transaction.

iv.  Any  assets  which  State  Street  holds in the form of money  shall not be
treated by State Street as Clients'  Money as defined by The Financial  Services
(Client Money)  Regulations 1991 of the United Kingdom as amended (the "Clients'
Money  Regulations")  and will not be held in accordance with the Clients' Money
Regulations  or such other  regulations  as shall amend or replace the  Clients'
Money Regulations from time to time.

4. Securities Loan Agreements.  The Client authorizes State Street to enter into
one or more Securities Loan Agreements with such Borrowers as may be selected by
State  Street.  Each  Securities  Loan  Agreement  shall  have  such  terms  and
conditions as State Street may  negotiate  with the  Borrower,  however  certain
terms of individual loans,  including rebate fees to be paid to the Borrower for
the use of cash Collateral, shall be negotiated at the time a loan is made.

         5. Loans of Available Securities.  State Street shall have authority to
make Loans of Available Securities to Borrowers,  and to deliver such securities
to Borrowers. State Street shall be responsible for determining whether any such
Loan shall be made, and for negotiating and  establishing the terms of each such
Loan.  State  Street  shall  have the  authority  to  terminate  any Loan in its
discretion, at any time and without prior notice to the Client.

The  Client  acknowledges  that  State  Street  administers  securities  lending
programs  for  other  clients  of  State  Street.  State  Street  will  allocate
securities  lending  opportunities  among  its  clients,  using  reasonable  and
equitable  methods  established by State Street from time to time.  State Street
does not  represent  or warrant  that any amount or  percentage  of the Client's
Available Securities will in fact be loaned to Borrowers.  Client agrees that it
shall  have no claim  against  State  Street  and  State  Street  shall  have no
liability  arising from, based on, or relating to, loans made for other clients,
or loan opportunities  refused  hereunder,  whether or not State Street has made
fewer or more  loans  for any  other  client,  and  whether  or not any loan for
another client,  or the opportunity  refused,  could have resulted in loans made
under this Agreement.

The  Client  also  acknowledges  that,  under  the  applicable  Securities  Loan
Agreements,   Borrowers  will  not  be  required  to  return  Loaned  Securities
immediately upon receipt of notice from State Street  terminating the applicable
Loan, but instead will be required to return such Loaned  Securities within such
period  of  time  following  such  notice  as is  specified  in  the  applicable
Securities  Loan  Agreement.  Upon  receiving  a notice  from the  Client or the
Investment  Manager  that  Available  Securities  which  have  been  loaned to a
Borrower should no longer be considered Available Securities (whether because of
the sale of such securities or otherwise), State Street shall use its reasonable
efforts to notify promptly thereafter the Borrower which has


<PAGE>



borrowed such securities that the Loan of such securities is terminated and that
such  securities are to be returned  within the time specified by the applicable
Securities Loan Agreement.

6.  Distributions  on and Voting Rights with Respect to Loaned  Securities.  The
Client  represents and warrants that it is the beneficial owner of (or exercises
complete investment  discretion over) all Available Securities free and clear of
all liens, claims,  security interests and encumbrances and no such security has
been sold,  and that it is  entitled to receive  all  distributions  made by the
issuer  with  respect  to  Loaned  Securities.  Except as  provided  in the next
sentence, all interest,  dividends, and other distributions paid with respect to
Loaned  Securities  shall be credited to the  Client's  account on the date such
amounts are delivered by the Borrower to State Street. Any non-cash distribution
on Loaned Securities which is in the nature of a stock split or a stock dividend
shall be added  to the Loan  (and  shall  be  considered  to  constitute  Loaned
Securities)  as of the  date  such  non-cash  distribution  is  received  by the
Borrower;  provided that the Client (or Investment Manager) may, by giving State
Street  ten (l0)  Business  Days'  notice  prior  to the  date of such  non-cash
distribution,  direct State  Street to request  that the  Borrower  deliver such
non-cash  distribution  to State Street,  pursuant to the applicable  Securities
Loan  Agreement,   in  which  case  State  Street  shall  credit  such  non-cash
distribution  to the  Client's  account  on the  date it is  delivered  to State
Street.

The Client  acknowledges  that it will not be  entitled  to  participate  in any
dividend  reinvestment program or to vote with respect to securities that are on
loan on the applicable record date for such securities.

The Client also acknowledges that any payments of distributions from Borrower to
Client are in  substitution  for the  interest  or  dividend  accrued or paid in
respect of Loaned  Securities  and that the tax  treatment  of such  payment may
differ from the tax treatment of such interest or dividend.

If an installment,  call or rights issue becomes payable on or in respect of any
Loaned  Securities,  State Street shall use all  reasonable  endeavors to ensure
that any timely instructions from the Client are complied with, but State Street
shall not be required to make any payment  unless the Client has first placed it
in funds to make such payment.

7. Collateral. The Client authorizes State Street to receive and to hold, on the
Client's  behalf,  Collateral  from  Borrowers  to  secure  the  obligations  of
Borrowers  with respect to any loan of  securities  made on behalf of the Client
pursuant to the Securities Loan  Agreements.  All investments of cash Collateral
shall be for the account and risk of the Client.  Concurrently with the delivery
of the Loaned  Securities  to the  Borrower  under any Loan,  State Street shall
receive from the Borrower Collateral in any of the forms listed on Schedule 7.1.
Said  Schedule  may be amended  from time to time by State  Street upon  written
notice to the Client. With respect to foreign cash Collateral, State Street will
provide Client with a multicurrency investment vehicle through which the foreign
cash will be converted to U.S. dollars and invested pursuant to Section 8 hereof
(MCIV").  Client acknowledges that State Street, in providing MCIV, will receive
additional compensation by earning a spread on the foreign currency conversions.
Such  Collateral  shall have a Market Value of not less than one hundred percent
(l00%) of the Market Value of the Loaned  Securities.  Thereafter,  State Street
shall take such action as is appropriate  with respect to the  Collateral  under
the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.

         The Collateral shall be returned to Borrower at the termination of the
Loan upon the return of the Loaned Securities by Borrower to State Street in
accordance with the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.  State Street shall


<PAGE>



invest  cash  Collateral  in  accordance  with  any  directions,  including  any
limitations  established by the Client in a writing identified to this Agreement
and acknowledged in writing by State Street and shall exercise  reasonable care,
skill,  diligence and prudence in the investment of  Collateral.  Subject to the
foregoing  limits and standard of care,  State Street does not assume any market
or investment risk of loss with respect to the currency  conversions  associated
with the use of MCIV or the  investment of cash  Collateral  and if, at any time
during the term of any Loan,  the value of the cash  Collateral  so  invested is
insufficient  to return the rebate fee (i.e.,  the return to the Borrower),  the
full amount of the  Collateral,  U.S.  dollar or  otherwise or any and all other
amounts due to such Borrower  pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement,  Client
shall be solely  responsible  for such  shortfall  and  hereby  agrees to pay an
amount equal to such shortfall to State Street. In addition,  State Street shall
be entitled to charge  Client's  accounts for such shortfall in accordance  with
Section 8.

8.  Compensation  for the Client and State Street.  To the extent that a Loan is
secured by cash  Collateral,  such  Collateral,  including  money  received with
respect  to the  investment  of  the  same,  or  upon  the  maturity,  sale,  or
liquidation of any such investments,  shall be invested by State Street, subject
to the directions  referred to above, if any, in short-term  instruments,  short
term investment funds maintained by State Street,  money market mutual funds and
such other  investments  as State  Street may from time to time to time  select,
including without  limitation  investments in obligations or other securities of
State Street or of any State Street  affiliate and investments in any short-term
investment  fund,  mutual fund,  securities  lending  trust or other  collective
investment fund with respect to which State Street and/or its affiliates provide
investment management or advisory, trust, custody, transfer agency,  shareholder
servicing and/or other services for which they are compensated.

The Client acknowledges that interests in such mutual funds,  securities lending
trusts and other collective  investment  funds, to which State Street and/or one
or more of its  affiliates  provide  services are not  guaranteed  or insured by
State  Street  or any of its  affiliates  or by the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation or any government  agency. The Client hereby authorizes State Street
to purchase or sell  investments  of cash  Collateral to or from other  accounts
held by State Street or its affiliates.

The net income  generated  by any  investment  made  pursuant  to the  preceding
paragraph of this Section 8 shall be allocated among the Borrower, State Street,
and the Client,  as follows:  (a) a portion of such income  shall be paid to the
Borrower in accordance  with the agreement  negotiated  between the Borrower and
State Street;  (b) the balance,  if any, shall be split between State Street [as
compensation for its services in connection with this securities lending program
and the Client [as such income  shall be credited to the Client's  account],  in
accordance with the fee schedule attached hereto as Schedule B.

         In the event the net income  generated by any investment  made pursuant
to the first paragraph of this Section 8 does not equal or exceed the amount due
the Borrower in accordance with the agreement between Borrower and State Street,
State  Street  shall  debit  the  Client's  account  by an  amount  equal to the
difference  between the net income  generated  and the amounts to be paid to the
Borrower  pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement.  In the event debits to the
Client's account produce a deficit therein, State Street shall sell or otherwise
liquidate  investments  made with cash Collateral and credit the net proceeds of
such sale or liquidation to satisfy the deficit. In the event the foregoing does
not  eliminate  the  deficit,  State  Street  shall have the right to charge the
deficiency to any other account or accounts  maintained by the Client with State
Street.


<PAGE>



 In the event of a Loan to a Borrower  resident  in  Canada,  which is made over
record date for a dividend  reinvestment  program ("DRP") and is secured by cash
Collateral,  the Borrower shall pay the Client a substitute payment equal to the
full  amount of the cash  dividend  declared,  and may pay a loan  premium,  the
amount of which shall be  negotiated  by State  Street,  above the amount of the
cash dividend. Such loan premium shall be allocated between State Street and the
Client as  follows:  (a) a portion of such loan  premium  shall be paid to State
Street as  compensation  for its  services in  connection  with this  securities
lending  program,  in  accordance  with Schedule A and (b) the remainder of such
loan premium shall be credited to the Client's account.

         To the  extent  that a Loan is  secured  by  non-cash  Collateral,  the
Borrower  shall be required to pay a loan premium,  the amount of which shall be
negotiated by State Street.  Such loan premium shall be allocated  between State
Street and the Client as follows:  (a) a portion of such loan  premium  shall be
paid to State Street as  compensation  for its services in connection  with this
securities  lending program,  in accordance with Schedule A hereto;  and (b) the
remainder of such loan premium shall be credited to the Client's account.

Client acknowledges that in the event that Client's  participation in securities
lending  generates  income  for the  Client,  State  Street may be  required  to
withhold  tax or may  claim  such tax  from  the  Client  as is  appropriate  in
accordance with applicable law.

The Client shall  reimburse  State Street for such  reasonable fees and expenses
that  State  Street  may  incur  in  connection  with  the  performance  of  its
obligations  hereunder,   including,   without  limitation:   (i)  the  ordinary
telecommunication   charges  associated  with  the  movement  of  securities  in
connection with the securities lending activity  contemplated by this Agreement;
and (ii) any and all funds advanced by State Street on behalf of the Client as a
consequence  of the  Client's  obligations  hereunder,  including  the  Client's
obligation to return cash Collateral to the Borrower and to pay any fees due the
Borrower, all as provided in Section 7 hereof.

9. Fee Disclosure. The fees associated with the investment of cash Collateral in
funds  maintained or advised by State Street are disclosed on Schedule B hereto.
Said  Schedule may be replaced  from time to time by State Street upon notice to
Client.  An annual report with respect to such funds is available to the Client,
at no expense, upon request.

10.  Recordkeeping  and Reports.  State Street will  establish and maintain such
records as are  reasonably  necessary to account for Loans that are made and the
income  derived  therefrom.  On a monthly  basis,  State Street will provide the
Client with a statement  describing  the Loans made, and the income derived from
Loans, during the period covered by such statement. Each party to this Agreement
shall comply with the reasonable requests of the other for information necessary
to the requester's  performance of its duties in connection with this securities
lending program.

11. Standard of Care Subject to the requirements of applicable law, State Street
shall not be liable for any loss or  damage,  including  counsel  fees and court
costs, whether or not resulting from their acts or omissions to act hereunder or
otherwise,  unless  the loss  damage  arises  out of State  Street's  own  gross
negligence. Except for any liability, loss, or expense arising from or connected
with State  Street's own gross  negligence,  the Client  agrees to reimburse and
hold State Street  harmless  from and against any  liability,  loss and expense,
including counsel fees and expenses and court costs,  arising in connection with
this Agreement or any Loan or arising from or connected with claims of any third
parties,   including  any  Borrower,  from  and  against  all  taxes  and  other
governmental charges, and from and against any out-of-pocket


<PAGE>



or  incidental  expenses.  State  Street may  charge any  amounts to which it is
entitled hereunder against the Client's account. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing,  Client agrees: (i) that State Street shall not be responsible
for any statements,  representations  or warranties  which any Borrower makes in
connection with any securities  loans  hereunder,  or for the performance by any
Borrower of the terms of a Loan, or any agreement related thereto, and shall not
be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of, or a
default under the terms of, a Loan or any agreement  related thereto;  (ii) that
State Street shall be fully  protected in acting in accordance  with the oral or
written  instructions of any person believed by State Street to be authorized to
execute this Agreement on behalf of the Client (an "Authorized  Person");  (iii)
that in the event of a default by a Borrower under a Loan, State Street shall be
fully  protected  in  acting  in  its  sole  discretion  in a  manner  it  deems
appropriate;  and (iv) that the  records of State  Street  shall be  presumed to
reflect  accurately  any oral  instructions  given by an Authorized  Person or a
person believed by State Street to be an Authorized Person.

 State Street, in determining the Market Value of Securities,  including without
limitation,  Collateral,  may rely upon any recognized pricing service and shall
not be liable for any errors made by such service.

12.  Representations  and Warranties.  Each party hereto represents and warrants
that (a) it has the power to execute and deliver this  Agreement,  to enter into
the transactions  contemplated hereby, and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) it has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery, and
performance;  (c)  this  Agreement  constitutes  a  legal,  valid,  and  binding
obligation  enforceable  against  it;  and  (d)  the  execution,  delivery,  and
performance by it of this Agreement will at all times comply with all applicable
laws and  regulations.  Client  represents and warrants that (a) it has made its
own  determination  as to the tax treatment of any  dividends,  remuneration  or
other funds received hereunder;  and (b) the financial  statements  delivered to
State Street  pursuant to Section 3 fairly  present its financial  condition and
there has been no material  adverse  change in its  financial  condition  or the
financial  condition of any parent  company  since the date of the balance sheet
included within such financial statements.  Each Loan shall constitute a present
representation  by Client that there has been no material  adverse change in its
financial  condition or the financial  condition of any parent  company that has
not been  disclosed in writing to State Street since the date of the most recent
financial statements furnished to State Street pursuant to Section 3.

The person  executing this Agreement on behalf of the Client  represents that he
or she has the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Client.

The Client hereby  represents to State Street that:  (i) its policies  generally
permit it to engage in securities lending transactions; (ii) its policies permit
it to  purchase  shares of the  Navigator  Securities  Lending  Trust  with cash
Collateral; (iii) its participation in the securities lending program, including
the investment of cash collateral in the Navigator Securities Lending Trust, and
the existing series'  thereof,  has been approved by a majority of the directors
or  trustees  that are not  "interested  persons"  within the meaning of section
2(a)(19) of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, and such directors or trustees
will evaluate the securities lending program no less frequently than annually to
determine  that the  investment of cash  collateral in the Navigator  Securities
Lending Trust,  including any series  thereof,  is in the Client's best interest
and  (iv)  its  prospectus  provides  appropriate   disclosure   concerning  its
securities  lending  activity;  and (v) that it is not  subject to the  Employee
Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA")  with respect to
this Agreement and the  Securities.  The Client also hereby  represents  that it
qualifies as an "accredited investor"


<PAGE>



within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.

13. Definitions. For the purposes hereof:

(a) "Available Securities" means the securities of the Client that are available
for Loans pursuant to Section 2.

(b) "Borrower"  means any of the entities to which  Available  Securities may be
loaned under a Securities Lending Agreement, as described in Section 3.

(c)  "Collateral"  means  collateral  delivered  by a  Borrower  to  secure  its
obligations under a Securities Loan Agreement.

(d) "Investment Manager," when used in any provision, means the person or entity
who has discretionary  authority over the investment of the Available Securities
to which the provision applies.

(e) "Loan" means a loan of Available Securities to a Borrower.

(f) "Loaned  Security"  shall mean any  "security"  which is delivered as a Loan
under a  Securities  Loan  Agreement;  provided  that,  if any new or  different
security shall be exchanged for any Loaned Security by recapitalization, merger,
consolidation,  or other corporate action, such new or different security shall,
effective  upon  such  exchange,  be  deemed  to  become  a Loaned  Security  in
substitution for the former Loaned Security for which such exchange was made.

(g)  "Market  Value" of a  security  means  the  market  value of such  security
(including,  in the  case of a  Loaned  Security  that is a debt  security,  the
accrued  interest on such  security) as  determined by the  independent  pricing
service designated by State Street, or such other independent  sources as may be
selected by State Street on a reasonable basis.

(h) "Securities Loan Agreement" means the agreement between a Borrower and State
Street (on behalf of the Client) that governs Loans, as described in Section 4.

14.  Continuing  Agreement;  Termination;  Remedies.  It is the intention of the
parties hereto that this Agreement  shall  constitute a continuing  agreement in
every  respect and shall apply to each and every Loan,  whether now  existing or
hereafter  made. The Client and State Street may each at any time terminate this
Agreement  upon  five (5)  Business  Days'  written  notice to the other to that
effect.  The only effects of any such termination of this Agreement will be that
(a) following  such  termination,  no further  Loans shall be made  hereunder by
State  Street on behalf of the  Client,  and (b) State  Street  shall,  within a
reasonable  time after  termination  of this  Agreement,  terminate  any and all
outstanding Loans. The provisions hereof shall continue in full force and effect
in all other respects until all Loans have been  terminated and all  obligations
satisfied as herein provided.

15. Notices.  Except as otherwise  specifically  provided herein,  notices under
this  Agreement may be made orally,  in writing,  or by any other means mutually
acceptable  to the  parties.  If in writing,  a notice  shall be  sufficient  if
delivered  to the party  entitled  to  receive  such  notices  at the  following
addresses:

If to Client:

Bull & Bear Advisers


<PAGE>



11 Hanover Square
New York, N.Y. 10005
Attn:  Thomas B. Winmill
  President

If to State Street:

State Street Bank and Trust Company
Global Securities Lending Division
Two International Place, Floor 31
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

or to such  other  addresses  as either  party may  furnish  the other  party by
written notice under this section.

Whenever  this  Agreement  permits or  requires  the  Client to give  notice to,
direct,  provide  information  to  State  Street,  such  notice,  direction,  or
information  shall be provided  to State  Street on the  Client's  behalf by any
individual  designated  for such  purpose by the  Client in a written  notice to
State Street.  (This  Agreement  shall be considered  such a designation  of the
person  executing  the Agreement on the client's  behalf.)  After its receipt of
such a notice of  designation,  and until its receipt of a notice  revoking such
designation,  State Street shall be fully protected in relying upon the notices,
directions, and information given by such designee.

16.  Miscellaneous.  This Agreement  supersedes any other agreement  between the
parties or any representations  made by one party to the other,  whether oral or
in writing,  concerning  loans of  securities  by State  Street on behalf of the
Client.  This Agreement  shall not be assigned by either party without the prior
written  consent of the other party.  Subject to the  foregoing,  this Agreement
shall be binding  upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and
their respective heirs, representatives, successors, and assigns. This Agreement
shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the  Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.  Client hereby irrevocably  submits to the jurisdiction of any
Massachusetts   state  or  federal   court  sitting  in  The   Commonwealth   of
Massachusetts  in any  action or  proceeding  arising  out of or related to this
agreement,  hereby  irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action
or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Massachusetts state or Federal
court except that this provision  shall not preclude any party from removing any
action to federal court. Client hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
it  may  effectively  do  so,  the  defense  of an  inconvenient  forum  to  the
maintenance of such action or proceeding.  Client hereby irrevocably appoints as
its  agent to  receive  on its  behalf  service  of copies  of the  summons  and
complaint  and any other  process  which  may be  served  in any such  action or
proceeding  (the  "Process  Agent").  Such  service  may be made by  mailing  or
delivering  a copy of such  process,  in care of the Process  Agent at the above
address.  Client hereby irrevocably  authorizes and directs the Process Agent to
accept such service on its behalf. As an alternative  method of service,  Client
also  irrevocably  consents  to the  service of any and all  process in any such
action or  proceeding  by the mailing of copies of such process to Client at its
address specified in Section 15 hereof. Client agrees that a final judgment


<PAGE>



in any such  action or  proceeding,  all  appeals  having been taken or the time
period for such appeals having expired,  shall be conclusive and may be enforced
in other  jurisdictions  by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided
by law. The  provisions of this  Agreement  are severable and the  invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision hereof shall not affect any other provision of
this Agreement.  If in the  construction of this Agreement any court should deem
any provision to be invalid because of scope or duration,  then such court shall
forthwith reduce such scope or duration to that which is appropriate and enforce
this Agreement in its modified scope or duration.

         17.  Securities  Investors  Protection  Act of 1970  Notice.  CLIENT IS
HEREBY ADVISED AND ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES  INVESTOR
PROTECTION  ACT OF 1970 MAY NOT PROTECT  THE CLIENT WITH  RESPECT TO THE LOAN OF
SECURITIES HEREUNDER AND THAT, THEREFORE, THE COLLATERAL DELIVERED TO THE CLIENT
MAY  CONSTITUTE  THE ONLY  SOURCE OF  SATISFACTION  OF THE  BROKER'S OR DEALER'S
OBLIGATION IN THE EVENT THE BROKER OR DEALER FAILS TO RETURN THE SECURITIES.

18.  Modification.  This Agreement shall not be modified, except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.



<PAGE>





BULL & BEAR FUNDS I, INC. on behalf       BULL & BEAR FUNDS II, INC.on of its
series BULL & BEAR U.S. AND               behalf of its series
OVERSEAS FUND                             BULL & BEAR DOLLAR RESERVES

By: _____________________                 By: ____________________

Name: ___________________                 Name: _________________

Its: ______________________               Its: ___________________


BULL & BEAR GOLD INVESTORS LTD.          BULL & BEAR SPECIAL
                                         EQUITIES FUND, INC.

By: ______________________               By: _______________________

Name: ___________________                Name: ____________________

Its: ______________________              Its: ______________________


BULL & BEAR MUNICIPAL INCOME             BULL & BEAR GLOBAL
FUND, INC.                               INCOME FUND, INC.

By: ______________________               By: ______________________
Name: ___________________                Name: ___________________
Its: ______________________              Its: ______________________





<PAGE>



BULL & BEAR U.S. GOVERNMENT                MIDAS FUND, INC.
SECURITIES FUND, INC.

By: ________________________               By: _______________________

Name: _____________________                Name: ____________________

Its: ________________________              Its: ______________________


ROCKWOOD FUND, INC.                                  STATE STREET BANK AND
                                                     TRUST COMPANY

By: _____________________                            By: ____________________

Name: ___________________                            Name: __________________

Its: ______________________                          Its: ____________________








<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A

                This Schedule is attached to and made part of the
                   Securities Lending Authorization Agreement,
                       dated the ____day of _______, 1997
  between THE CLIENTS IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE A (each a "Client" or collectively
                                 "Clients") and
              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("State Street").


PARTIES TO THE SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT

BULL & BEAR FUNDS I, INC. (TIN 13-3368373), on behalf of its series BULL &
BEAR U.S. AND OVERSEAS FUND

BULL & BEAR FUNDS II, INC. (TIN 22-2037796), on behalf of its series BULL &
BEAR DOLLAR RESERVES (TIN 13-6900645)

BULL & BEAR GOLD INVESTORS LTD. (TIN 13-6059519)

BULL & BEAR SPECIAL EQUITIES FUND, INC. (TIN 13-3343918)

BULL & BEAR MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC. (TIN 13-3196171)

BULL & BEAR GLOBAL INCOME FUND, INC. (TIN 13-3926714)

BULL & BEAR U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND, INC. (TIN 13-3907058)

MIDAS FUND, INC. (TIN 41-1536110)

ROCKWOOD FUND, INC. (TIN 82-0395554)




<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE B

                This Schedule is attached to and made part of the
                   Securities Lending Authorization Agreement,
                       dated the ____ day of _______, 1997
  between THE CLIENTS IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE A (each a "Client" or collectively
                                 "Clients") and
              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("State Street").


                                SCHEDULE OF FEES

1.       Subject to Paragraph 2 below, all proceeds collected by State Street on
investment of Cash Collateral or any fee income shall be allocated as follows

- - Sixty-five percent (65%) payable to the Client, and

- - Thirty-five percent (35%) payable to State Street.


2. All  payments  to be  allocated  under  Paragraph 1 above shall be made after
deduction of such other amounts payable to State Street or to the Borrower under
the terms of the attached Securities Lending Authorization Agreement.

3. Investment Management Fees

The Navigator Securities Lending Trust:

On an annualized  basis,  the  management/trust/custody  fee for investing  cash
Collateral in the Navigator  Securities Lending Prime Portfolio is not more than
10.00 basis points netted out of yield. The trustee may pay out of the assets of
the  Portfolio  all  reasonable  expenses and fees of the  Portfolio,  including
professional fees or disbursements  incurred in connection with the operation of
the Portfolio.



<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 7.1

                This Schedule is attached to and made part of the
                   Securities Lending Authorization Agreement,
                       dated the ____day of _______, 1997
  between THE CLIENTS IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE A (each a "Client" or collectively
                                 "Clients") and
              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("State Street").


ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF COLLATERAL

- -        Cash (U.S. and foreign currency);

- -        Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its
         agencies;

- -        Sovereign debt rated A or better

- -        Convertible Bonds

- - Irrevocable  bank letters of credit issued by a person other than the Borrower
or an affiliate of the Borrower may be accepted as  Collateral,  if State Street
has  determined  that it is  appropriate  to accept  such  letters  of credit as
Collateral under the securities lending programs it administers; and

- -       Such other Collateral as the parties may agree to in   writing from time
        to time.






[DESCRIPTION]            Segregated Account Procedural Agreement


             SEGREGATED ACCOUNT PROCEDURAL AND SAFEKEEPING AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT is made  effective  the 17th day of June,  1997, by and
between INVESTORS  FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY,  a trust company chartered under the
laws of the state of Missouri,  having its trust office and  principal  place of
business in Kansas City, Missouri ("IFTC"); STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
a trust company  organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts,
having  its trust  office  and  principal  place of  business  in North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  ("Bank");  SMITH BARNEY,  INC., a registered  futures  commission
merchant ("Broker"); and each registered investment company listed on Schedule A
hereto,  as it may be  amended  from time to time,  incorporated  herein by this
reference (each a "Customer"); and

         WHEREAS,  Customer,  on behalf of each of the Portfolios  identified in
Schedule A, as it may be amended from time to time,  incorporated herein by this
reference,  has opened or may hereafter  open a trading  account with Broker for
the purpose of purchasing  and selling  futures  contracts  and related  options
("Contracts") through Broker; and

         WHEREAS,  in  connection  with the  opening  of such  trading  account,
Customer  and Broker  have  entered  or will  enter  into a  Customer  Agreement
requiring  Customer  to deposit as  collateral  the  initial  margin  (including
subsequent margin calls and any additional initial margin requirements for short
option  positions)  ("Margin")  with respect to each Contract as required by the
Commodity Exchange Act, Commodity Futures Trading  Commission  regulations,  and
the rules and regulations of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,  the Chicago Board
of Trade, the Commodity  Exchange,  and such other exchanges on which Broker may
effect or cause to be effected transactions as broker for Customer (collectively
the "Rules and Regulations"); and

         WHEREAS,  IFTC serves as  custodian  of certain  monies and  securities
owned by Customer  ("Assets")  pursuant to a Custody  Agreement between IFTC and
Customer (each a "Custody Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, Bank serves as IFTC's sub-custodian of said Assets pursuant to
a Sub-Custody Agreement between Bank and IFTC (the "Sub-Custody Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS,  the parties hereto desire to provide for segregated  accounts
for  the  benefit  of  Customer  to be  established  at Bank  (the  "Safekeeping
Accounts") for custody of the Margin;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  for  and  in  consideration  of the  mutual  promises
contained herein,  the parties hereto,  intending to be legally bound,  mutually
covenant and agree as follows:

1.  GOVERNING  AGREEMENT.  As between each Customer and IFTC,  the Assets in the
Safekeeping  Account  as  collateral  for  the  Margin  ("Collateral")  and  all
instructions,  deliveries,  duties,  rights and liabilities of such Customer and
IFTC with respect to such Safekeeping  Account shall be governed in all respects
by the  Custody  Agreement,  except  as  expressly  provided  otherwise  in this
Agreement.  As  between  IFTC and Bank,  the  Collateral  and all  instructions,
deliveries,  duties, rights and liabilities of IFTC and Bank with respect to the
Safekeeping  Accounts  shall be  governed  in all  respects  by the  Sub-Custody
Agreement, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement.

2. SAFEKEEPING ACCOUNT. Pursuant to the applicable Custody Agreement, IFTC shall
establish and maintain a  Safekeeping  Account at Bank for each  Customer,  and,
pursuant to the Sub-Custody  Agreement,  Bank shall open, upon  instruction from
IFTC, such  Safekeeping  Account in the name of "Smith Barney Customer Funds for
the benefit of [applicable Customer Name] (Customer Segregated Account)"


<PAGE>



for the  Collateral,  in  accordance  with the  Rules  and  Regulations.  In its
custodial capacity, IFTC is limited to holding the Collateral in safekeeping for
Customer  pursuant  to the  Custody  Agreement  and  dealing  with it as  herein
expressed unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing.  IFTC shall make or cause
Bank to make purchases,  sales, withdrawals and deliveries of securities held as
Collateral  only as  Customer  may  direct,  subject  to the  rights  of  Broker
hereunder. IFTC is hereby authorized and directed to, and to cause Bank to:

         A.       Collect income and principal on bearer securities in the 
                  Safekeeping Accounts;

         B.       Dispose  of  the  monies  received  from  income  collections,
                  maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition of the Assets
                  pursuant to the terms hereof;

         C.       Send daily confirmations of receipts and disbursements to 
                  Customer and to Broker;

         D.       Provide monthly lists of Assets held in the Safekeeping 
                  Accounts to Customer and to Broker;

         E.       On request, confirm to Broker and Customer all account charges
                  and positions; and

         F.       Provide  Broker and Customer with prompt  Written  Notice,  as
                  hereinafter  defined,  of each transfer of Collateral  into or
                  out of the Safekeeping Account of such Customer.

Bank may hold Assets in the Safekeeping Account in bearer,  nominee, book entry,
or other form and in any  depository  or clearing  corporation,  with or without
indicating  that such Assets are held  hereunder;  provided,  however,  that all
Assets held in the Safekeeping  Account shall be identified on IFTC's and Bank's
records  as  subject  to this  Agreement  and  shall be in a form  that  permits
transfer without additional authorization or consent of Customer.

Pursuant  to  Section  1.20  of  the  Commodity   Futures   Trading   Commission
Regulations,  IFTC and Bank hereby  acknowledge that all Collateral is that of a
"commodity or option" customer of Broker and is being  separately  accounted for
and held as segregated and secured funds. Such Collateral will not be treated by
IFTC or Bank as the funds or securities of any person other than  Customer,  and
will  not be used by IFTC or Bank in  connection  with  the  obligations  of any
person  other than  Customer.  IFTC and Bank have no claim,  and will  assert no
lien,  right of set off or any other claim or interest  in the  Collateral,  and
will not use the Collateral to margin, collateralize, secure or to extend credit
to Customer, to any of its affiliates,  to Broker, to any of Broker's affiliates
or to any other persons for such  activities or otherwise.  IFTC and Bank hereby
agree that the books and records  accounting  for the Collateral may be examined
by an authorized employee of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.



<PAGE>



3.  DEPOSIT OF  COLLATERAL.  IFTC shall  direct  Bank to deposit,  transfer  and
maintain  assets  specified by Customer by Written  Notice as  Collateral in the
Safekeeping  Account in an amount  sufficient to provide such Margin as shall be
required by the Rules and  Regulations,  and Bank shall provide  Broker and IFTC
with Written Notice of each such deposit. Customer may deposit amounts in excess
of such requirements.  The designation  "Customer Funds" in the account title is
intended to indicate the status of the Safekeeping  Accounts under the Rules and
Regulations;  however,  to the  extent  not  inconsistent  with  such  Rules and
Regulations,  the  provisions of this  Agreement  shall be controlling as to the
rights of the parties in the Collateral.

4. FORM OF COLLATERAL.  The Collateral shall be in the form, as Customer elects,
of cash, of eligible  securities of the U.S.  Government  (valued at the current
market value),  other securities issued by United States issuers as Broker shall
accept,  or of a combination  thereof.  Customer may substitute U.S.  Government
securities  of equal or  greater  value  upon prior  approval  by Broker,  which
approval shall not be  unreasonably  withheld.  Upon receipt of such  substitute
securities  and Written  Notice of Broker's  approval,  IFTC shall cause Bank to
release from the  Safekeeping  Account cash or securities of an equal value,  or
such lesser amount as may be directed by Customer. Separate interest payments on
the  Collateral  shall be  automatically  credited  by IFTC in Federal  Funds to
demand deposit  accounts  designated in Written Notice from Customer on the date
that such  interest  becomes due and received  unless Notice of Default has been
given to IFTC pursuant to Paragraph 7. Amounts due on Assets which mature or are
redeemed will be credited to the applicable Safekeeping Account in Federal Funds
on the date such amounts are received.

5. WITHDRAWALS.  Withdrawals from the Safekeeping Account shall be effected upon
receipt by Bank of Written  Notice from  Customer  and  Broker's  prior  written
consent to such  withdrawal.  Broker  shall,  upon request of  Customer,  inform
Customer of the amount of any excess Collateral in the Safekeeping Account.

6.  VARIATION  MARGIN.  If  additional  Collateral  is required by Broker due to
variation in the value of one or more Contracts  held in the trading  account or
otherwise pursuant to the Customer Agreement ("Variation Margin"):

         A.       Broker shall give Customer  Written Notice of such requirement
                  and such Variation  Margin shall be satisfied from any amounts
                  currently  credited  to  Customer's  trading  account,  to the
                  extent thereof.

         B.       If the  Variation  Margin  cannot be satisfied as set forth in
                  Paragraph  A, then  Customer  shall  immediately  transfer the
                  Variation  Margin to Broker  and Broker  shall  give  Customer
                  prompt Written Notice of receipt.

         C. If the Variation  margin is not satisfied as set forth in Paragraphs
A or B, then,  Broker may give  notice to IFTC of the  failure to deposit or pay
such  amount  and the  amount  required,  which  notice  shall  state  that  all
conditions   precedent  to  Broker's  right  to  receive  Collateral  have  been
satisfied.  Immediately  upon  receipt  of  such  notice,  IFTC  shall  transfer
Collateral of such specified amount from the Safekeeping Account to
                  or for the account of Broker.


7. DEFAULT. If Customer has failed to deposit sufficient  Collateral pursuant to
Paragraph 3 hereof,  or  transfer  the  required  Variation  Margin  pursuant to
Paragraph 6.B hereof,  Broker shall give Customer  immediate  Written  Notice of
such failure,  specifying the amount of such default  ("Notice of Default").  In
the event that Broker gives Notice of Default to IFTC,  Broker shall immediately
give


<PAGE>



Written  Notice to Customer  thereof  and,  without  prejudice  to any rights of
Broker hereunder,  IFTC shall give Written Notice to Customer of its receipt of,
and the instructions,  if any, contained in, such Notice of Default.  The Notice
of Default by Broker to IFTC shall  certify  that all  conditions  precedent  to
Broker's  right  to  direct  disposition  of  Collateral   hereunder  have  been
satisfied, and shall include instructions to IFTC to instruct Bank:

       A.   To transfer specified eligible U.S. Government securities or other
            securities held as Collateral to Broker, in which event Broker shall
            have the right to sell or otherwise dispose of such securities in
            the principal market for such securities or, in the event such
            principal market is closed, in a manner commercially reasonable for
            such securities; provided, however, that Broker shall remit to
            Customer any proceeds of such sale or disposition in excess of the
            amount specified in the Notice of Default;

       B.   To sell at the prevailing market price sufficient Collateral to
            provide for payment to Broker of the amount specified in the Notice
            of Default, in which event Bank shall give consideration to any
            timely request by Customer by Written Notice with respect to
            particular Collateral to be sold and shall sell any Collateral in
            the principal market therefor, or, in the event such principal
            market is closed, in a manner commercially reasonable for such
            Collateral; or

         C.       With respect to cash Collateral,  to immediately transfer cash
                  in the amount  specified  in the  Notice of  Default  from the
                  Safekeeping Account to Broker.

IFTC shall cause Bank to retain in the  Safekeeping  Account any  Collateral not
transferred  as set forth above,  including any proceeds from the Bank's sale of
Collateral in excess of the amount  required.  In no event shall IFTC or Bank be
required to transfer any amount in excess of the value of the Collateral.

8. CREDITS TO CUSTOMER.  Broker shall promptly  credit to the trading account of
Customer any Variation  Margin  resulting  from the variation in value of one or
more  Contracts  purchased or sold by Customer in accordance  with the Rules and
Regulations.  Each  business day such a credit is made,  Broker  shall  transfer
trading account  balances of Customer in Federal Funds to IFTC, or to such other
bank  account in  Customer's  name as Customer  shall  direct.  Amounts due to a
Customer as a result of the variation in value of such  Customer's  short option
positions  shall be credited to  Customer by reducing  the amount of  Collateral
required to be maintained in the Safekeeping Account.


9.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

         a.       IFTC and Bank  shall not be  responsible  or liable  for,  and
                  Customer  and Broker  shall  indemnify  and hold IFTC and Bank
                  harmless  from  and  against,  any  and all  costs,  expenses,
                  losses,   damages,   charges,   counsel  fees,   payments  and
                  liabilities  which may be asserted against or incurred by IFTC
                  or Bank or for  which  IFTC or Bank may be held to be  liable,
                  arising out of or attributable to:



<PAGE>



                  i.       IFTC's or Bank's  action or omission to act  pursuant
                           hereto; provided that IFTC or Bank have acted in good
                           faith and with due diligence and reasonable care; and
                           provided  further,  that IFTC shall not be liable for
                           consequential,  special,  or punitive  damages in any
                           event.

             ii.  IFTC's action or omission to act hereunder upon any Written
                  Notice, instructions, advice, notice, request, consent,
                  certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably appearing
                  to it to be genuine and to have been properly executed,
                  including but not limited to instructions contained in a
                  Notice of Default, it being expressly understood that IFTC and
                  Bank shall have no duty to determine whether a default has, in
                  fact, occurred, or any other duty of inquiry or verification
                  with respect thereto.

                  iii.     Customer's  or Broker's  refusal or failure to comply
                           with the terms hereof (including  without  limitation
                           failure  to pay or  reimburse  IFTC or Bank and under
                           Section 9 hereof),  Customer's  or  Broker's  acts or
                           omissions,  negligence or willful misconduct,  or the
                           failure of any representation or warranty of Customer
                           or Broker hereunder to be and remain true and correct
                           in all respects at all times.

            iv.   The failure or delay in performance of its obligations
                  hereunder, or those of any entity for which it is responsible
                  hereunder, arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly,
                  by circumstances beyond the affected entity's reasonable
                  control, including, without limitation:  any interruption,
                  loss or malfunction of any utility, transportation, computer
                  (hardware or software) or communication service;  inability to
                  obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, or a
                  delay in mails;  governmental or exchange action, statute,
                  ordinance, rulings, regulations or direction;  war, strike,
                  riot, emergency, civil disturbance, terrorism, vandalism,
                  explosions, labor disputes, freezes, floods, fires, tornados,
                  acts of God or public enemy, revolutions,  or insurrection.

            v.    The sufficiency or adequacy of the Collateral deposited
                  hereunder from time to time, or compliance with any statute or
                  regulation regarding the  amount and form of Collateral, it
                  being understood that IFTC and Bank shall have no duty to
                  require any Assets to be delivered at any time, or the
                  establishment or maintenance of margin credit, including but
                  not limited to the Rules and Regulations, Regulations T or X
                  of the Board of Governors of the Federal
                  Reserve System, or with any rules or regulations of the
                  Options Clearing Corporation or the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission.

         b.       Broker  shall  not be  responsible  or  liable  for  any  loss
                  incurred  by any  Customer  by  reason  of  IFTC's  or  Bank's
                  negligence or willful  misconduct  in performing  their duties
                  under this Agreement.



<PAGE>



10. NOTICE. All notices,  instructions and communications  shall be given by the
most  expeditious  means possible and shall be deemed a valid  "Written  Notice"
hereunder if delivered by hand,  sent by  registered  or certified  mail (return
receipt  requested),  transmitted  by telegraph,  telex or  telecopier  (receipt
confirmed) or given by telephone  (promptly  followed by written copy) and shall
be deemed  effective  when given if given by telephone  and when received by the
addressee  at the address set forth  opposite  its  signature  hereto or at such
other  address  given by  Written  Notice  if given  in a manner  other  than by
telephone.

11.  FEES AND  EXPENSES.  Customer  shall  pay as  compensation  to IFTC for its
services  hereunder  such amount as may be agreed to by  Customer  and IFTC from
time to time in writing. Any and all expenses of establishing,  maintaining,  or
terminating a Safekeeping Account shall be borne by the applicable Customer.

12. TERMINATION. As to each Safekeeping Account, this Agreement shall terminate:
(a) on the effective  date of IFTC's or Bank's  resignation  or  termination  as
custodian or  sub-custodian  (b) upon the consent by Written  Notice of Customer
and Broker,  or (c) upon thirty (30) days prior written  notice by IFTC and Bank
to Broker and  Customer.  Upon any  termination,  all Assets in the  Safekeeping
Account shall be held by Bank pursuant to the Sub-Custody Agreement.

13. INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS.  Each Customer shall be regarded for all purposes as a
separate  party apart from any other  Customer  and every  reference to Customer
shall  be  deemed a  reference  solely  to the  particular  Customer  to which a
particular transaction under the Agreement relates. Under no circumstances shall
the  rights,  obligations  or remedies  with  respect to a  particular  Customer
constitute a right,  obligation or remedy applicable to any other Customer.  The
use of this single  document  to  memorialize  the  separate  agreement  of each
Customer  is  understood  to be for  clerical  convenience  only and  shall  not
constitute any basis for joining Customers for any reason.

14.      MISCELLANEOUS.

         a.       This Agreement shall be construed according to, and the rights
                  and  liabilities  of the parties  hereto shall be governed by,
                  the laws of the State of New York,  without  reference  to the
                  choice of laws principles thereof.

         b.       All terms and provisions  hereof shall be binding upon,  inure
                  to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and
                  their respective successors and permitted assigns.



<PAGE>



         c.       The  representations  and  warranties,   the  indemnifications
                  extended hereunder, and the provisions of Section 9 hereof are
                  intended  to  and  shall   continue   after  and  survive  the
                  expiration, termination or cancellation hereof.

         d.       No provisions  hereof may be amended or modified in any manner
                  except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed
                  by each party hereto.

     e.    The failure of either party to insist upon the performance of any
           terms or conditions hereof or to enforce any rights resulting from
           any breach of any of the terms or conditions hereof, including the
           payment of damages, shall not be construed as a continuing or
           permanent waiver of any such terms, conditions, rights or
           privileges, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and
           effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.  No waiver,
           release or discharge of any party's rights hereunder shall be
           effective unless contained in a written instrument signed by the
           party sought to be charged.

         f.       The captions  herein are included for convenience of reference
                  only,  and in no way  define  or limit  any of the  provisions
                  hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

         g.       This  Agreement  may be executed in two or more  counterparts,
                  each of which  shall be  deemed an  original  but all of which
                  together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         h.       If any  provision  hereof shall be  determined  to be invalid,
                  illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise  unenforceable,
                  the remaining  provisions hereof shall be considered severable
                  and  shall  not  be  affected  thereby,  and  every  remaining
                  provision  hereof  shall  remain in full  force and effect and
                  shall remain  enforceable to the fullest  extent  permitted by
                  applicable law.

         i.       This Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto without
                  the prior written consent of the other party.

         j.       Neither the execution nor  performance  hereof shall be deemed
                  to create a  partnership  or joint venture by and among any of
                  the parties hereto.

         k.       Except as specifically  provided  herein,  this Agreement does
                  not in any way affect any other agreements  entered into among
                  the parties  hereto and any actions taken or omitted by either
                  party  hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of
                  the other party hereunder.


<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each party hereto has caused this Agreement to be
duly executed on the date first above written.


                                        Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.:
                                        Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.:
                                        Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.:
                                        Bull & Bear U.S. Government
                                        Securities Fund, Inc.
                                        Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                        Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.
                                        Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
                                        Midas Fund, Inc.
                                        Rockwood Fund, Inc.



Bull & Bear                                              By:
11 Hanover Square, 11th Floor                            Title:
New York, NY 10005
Attn: Heidi Keating



Smith Barney, Inc.                                        SMITH BARNEY, INC.
388 Greenwich Street                                      By:
New York, NY 10013                                        Title:
Attn: Michael Schaefer



127 West 10th Street                           INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
Kansas City, MO 64105                          By:
Attn: Custody Department                       Title:




1776 Heritage Drive                          STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
North Quincy, MA 02171                       By:
Attn: Securities Services Division           Title:



<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE A
                                LIST OF CUSTOMERS

Portfolios of Customer under the Segregated Account Procedural and Safekeeping
Agreement with Smith Barney, Inc. ("Broker").


  CUSTOMER AND PORTFOLIO NAME                                 TAX ID NUMBER
  ---------------------------                             ---------------------
Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.:
  Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund                             13-3368373
Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.:
  Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves                                    13-6900645
Bull & Bear U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.                13-3907058
Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.                          13-3343918
Bull & Bear Gold Investors Ltd.                                  13-6059519
Bull & Bear Municipal Income Fund, Inc.                          13-3196171
Midas Fund, Inc.                                                 41-1536110
Rockwood Fund, Inc.                                              82-0395554
Bull & Bear Global Income Fund, Inc.                             13-3926714


Customer is a series investment  company currently  consisting of the Portfolios
set  forth  above.  For  purposes  of  the  Segregated  Account  Procedural  and
Safekeeping  Agreement,  each  Portfolio  shall  be  regarded  for all  purposes
hereunder  as a  separate  party  apart from each  other  Portfolio.  Unless the
context otherwise  requires,  with respect to every transaction  covered hereby,
every  reference  herein to  Customer  shall be  deemed to relate  solely to the
particular Portfolio to which such transaction  relates.  Under no circumstances
shall the rights, obligations or remedies with respect to a particular Portfolio
constitute a right, obligation or remedy applicable to any other Portfolio.  The
use of this single  document  to  memorialize  the  separate  agreement  of each
Portfolio  is  understood  to be for  clerical  convenience  only and  shall not
constitute any basis for joining the Portfolios for any reason.

Customer may add additional  Portfolios to the Segregated Account Procedural and
Safekeeping  Agreement from time to time by written notice to the other parties,
provided  that  IFTC  consents  to such  addition.  Rates  or  charges  for each
additional Portfolio shall be as agreed upon by IFTC and Customer in writing.







[DESCRIPTION]            Custodial Account and IRA Disclosure Statement



                         Investor Service Center, Inc.
                        Toll-free 1-888-503-FUND (3863)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              IRA Information Kit
                   Regular o Rollover o Roth o SEP o SAR-SEP
<PAGE>

                               Table of Contents

Questions and Answers about IRAs...........................................  1
How to Get Started.........................................................  3
Application for Regular, Rollover 
and Roth IRAs, SEPs, and SAR-SEPs..........................................  5
IRA Transfer, Direct Rollover & Conversion Form............................  7
Authorization to Add or Convert to a Roth IRA or Other IRA.................  9
Disclosure Statement....................................................... 11
Account Custodial Agreement................................................ 23




<PAGE>

                        Questions and Answers about IRAs

What's new in the world of IRAs?
    An Individual  Retirement  Account ("IRA") has always provided an attractive
means to save money for the future on a tax-advantaged  basis. Recent changes to
Federal  tax law  have now made the IRA an even  more  flexible  investment  and
savings  vehicle.  Among the new changes is the creation of the Roth  Individual
Retirement  Account  ("Roth  IRA"),  which is available for use after January 1,
1998.   Under  a  Roth  IRA,  the  earnings  and  interest  on  an  individual's
nondeductible  contributions  grow without being taxed, and distributions may be
tax-free under certain circumstances. Most taxpayers (except for those with very
high income levels) will be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA. A Roth IRA can
be used  instead of a Regular  IRA,  to  replace an  existing  Regular  IRA,  or
complement a Regular IRA you wish to continue maintaining.
    Taxpayers  with  adjusted  gross  income of up to $100,000  are  eligible to
convert existing IRAs into Roth IRAs. The details on conversion are found in the
description of Roth IRAs in this Kit.
    Congress has also made significant changes to Regular IRAs. First,  Congress
increased   the  income  levels  at  which  IRA  holders  who   participate   in
employer-sponsored   retirement   plans   can  make   deductible   Regular   IRA
contributions.  Also,  the rules for deductible  contributions  by an IRA holder
whose spouse is a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan have been
liberalized.  Second, the 10% penalty tax for premature  withdrawals (before age
59 1/2) will no longer apply in the case of  withdrawals  to pay certain  higher
education expenses or certain first-time homebuyer expenses.

What's in this Kit?
    In this Kit you will find detailed information about Roth IRAs and about the
changes that have been made to Regular IRAs.  You will also find all you need to
establish and maintain a Regular,  Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SAR-SEP IRA, or to convert
all or part of an existing Regular IRA to a Roth IRA.
    The beginning of this Kit contains the  instructions and forms you will need
to open a new Regular or Roth IRA, to transfer  from  another IRA to an Investor
Service Center IRA, or to convert a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA.
    The next  section of this Kit  contains our IRA  Disclosure  Statement.  The
Disclosure Statement is divided into three parts:
o   Part One  describes  the basic  rules and  benefits  which are  specifically
    applicable to your Regular IRA.
o Part Two  describes  the basic  rules  and  benefits  which  are  specifically
applicable  to your Roth  IRA.  o Part  Three  describe  rules  and  information
applicable to all IRAs.

    The last  section of this Kit  contains  the IRA  Custodial  Agreement.  The
Custodial Agreement is also divided into three parts:
o    Part One contains provisions specifically applicable to Regular IRAs.
o    Part Two contains provisions specifically applicable to Roth IRAs.
o    Part Three contains provisions applicable to all IRAs (Regular and Roth).


What's the difference between a Regular IRA and a Roth IRA?
    With a Regular IRA, an individual  can  contribute up to $2,000 per year and
may be able to deduct the  contribution  from taxable  income,  reducing  income
taxes.  Taxes on investment growth and dividends are deferred until the money is
withdrawn.  Withdrawals  are taxed as additional  ordinary income when received.
Nondeductible contributions,  if any, are withdrawn tax-free. Withdrawals before
age 59 1/2 are assessed a 10%


<PAGE>



penalty in addition to income tax, unless an exception applies.
    With a Roth IRA, the contribution limits are essentially the same as Regular
IRAs,  but  there is no tax  deduction  for  contributions.  All  dividends  and
investment  growth in the account are tax-free.  Most important with a Roth IRA:
there  is  no  income  tax  on  qualified   withdrawals   from  your  Roth  IRA.
Additionally,   unlike  a  Regular  IRA,  there  is  no  prohibition  on  making
contributions  to Roth IRAs after turning age 70 1/2, and there's no requirement
that you begin making minimum withdrawals at that age.
    The  following  chart  highlights  some of the major  differences  between a
Regular IRA and a Roth IRA:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Characteristics          Regular IRA                                   Roth IRA
- ---------------          ----------------------------------            -----------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                                     <C>
Eligibility              o Individuals (and their spouses)             o Individuals (and their spouses) who receive
                           who receive compensation                      compensation
                         o Individuals age 70 1/2 and over             o Individuals age 70 1/2 and over may
                           may contribute                                contribute

Tax Treatment of 
Contributions            o Subject to limitations, contributions       o No deduction permitted for amounts
                           are deductible                                contributed

Contribution of Limits   o Individuals  may  contribute up             o Individuals may generally
                           to $2000 annually (or 100% of                 contribute  up to $2000  (or 100% of
                           compensation,  if less)                       compensation,  if less)
                                                
                         o Deductibility depends on income level       o Ability to contribute phases out at income
                           for individuals who are active participants   levels of $95,000 to $110,000(individual 
                           in an employer-sponsored retirement plan      taxpayer) and $150,000 to $160,000
                                                                         (married taxpayers)
                                                                                 
                                                                       o Overall limit for contributions to  all IRAs
                                                                         (Regular and Roth combined) is $2,000
                                                                          annually (or 100% of compensation, if less)


Earnings                 o Capital appreciation and dividends are not  o Capital appreciation and dividends are not
                           taxed in your IRA                             taxed in your IRA

Rollover/Conversions     o Individual  may  rollover tax free to       o Rollovers from other Roth IRA's or Regular
                           Regular IRA amounts held in                   IRA's only
                           employer-sponsored retirement
                           arrangements  (401(k), SEP IRA, etc.)       o Amounts rolled over (or converted) from 
                                                                         another Regular IRA are subject to
                                                                         income tax in the year rolled over or converted
                                                                                
                                                                       o Tax on amounts rolled over or converted in 1998
                                                                         is spread over four year period (1998-2001)
                                                                                 
Withdrawals              o Total (contributions + earnings)            o Not taxable as long as a qualified distribution
                           taxable  as income in year withdrawn          - generally, account open for 5 years, and age 59 1/2
                           (except for any prior non-deductible
                           contributions)

                         o Minimum withdrawals must begin after        o Minimum withdrawals not required after
                           age 70 1/2                                    age 70 1/2
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Is a Roth or a Regular IRA right for me?
    We cannot act as your legal or tax  advisor  and so we cannot tell you which
kind of IRA is right for you. The information  contained in this Kit is intended
to provide  you with the basic  information  and  material  you will need if you
decide  whether  a  Regular  or Roth IRA is  better  for you,  or if you want to
convert an existing  Regular IRA to a Roth IRA. We suggest that you consult with
your  accountant,  lawyer or other tax  advisor,  or with a qualified  financial
planner,  to determine  whether you should open a Regular or Roth IRA or convert
any or all of an existing  Regular IRA to a Roth IRA.  Your tax advisor can also
advise you as to the state tax consequences that may affect whether a Regular or
Roth IRA is right for you.

What about SEP IRAs and SAR-SEP IRAs?
    The Investor  Service  Center  Regular IRA may be used in connection  with a
simplified  employee  pension (SEP) or SEP Employer Salary  Reduction  (SAR-SEP)
plan  maintained  by your  employer.  To establish a Regular IRA as part of your
Employer's SEP plan,  complete the IRA Application for a Regular IRA, indicating
in the proper  box that the IRA is part of a SEP plan.  A Roth IRA should not be
used in connection with a SEP plan.

 What are the legal matters applicable to this Kit?
    The Disclosure Statement in this Kit provides you with the basic information
that you should know about  Investor  Service Center Regular IRAs and Roth IRAs.
The Disclosure  Statement provides general information about the governing rules
for these IRAs and the benefits and features  offered  through each type of IRA.
However,  the Application and the Custodial  Agreement are the primary documents
controlling  the terms and conditions of your personal  Investor  Service Center
Regular or Roth IRA, and these shall govern in the case of any  difference  with
the Disclosure Statement.
     Read  carefully the  applicable  sections of the IRA  Disclosure  Statement
contained  in this Kit,  the  Regular or Roth  Individual  Retirement  Custodial
Account document (as applicable),  the IRA Application,  and the  prospectus(es)
for any Fund(s) you are considering. Consult your lawyer or other tax adviser if
you have any  questions  about how opening a Regular IRA or Roth IRA will affect
your financial and tax situation. To establish more than one type of IRA, make a
copy of the enclosed IRA Application for each type of IRA you wish to open.
     "You" or "your" when used  throughout this Kit refer to the person for whom
the Investor Service Center Regular or Roth IRA is established.  A "Roth IRA" is
either an Investor  Service  Center Roth IRA or any Roth IRA  established by any
other  financial  institution.  A "Regular  IRA" is any  non-Roth IRA offered by
Investor Service Center or any other financial institution.
     The minimum investment to establish an Investor Service Center IRA or other
retirement plan is $1,000.  Minimum subsequent investments are $100. The initial
investment minimums are waived if you elect to invest $100 or more each month in
the Fund through the Investor Service Center Automatic  Investment Program - see
Part 3 of the IRA Application. There are no set up fees for any Investor Service
Center  Retirement  Plans.  Subject  to  change  on 30  days'  notice,  the plan
custodian  charges  Investor Service Center IRAs a $10 annual fiduciary fee, $10
for each  distribution  prior to age 59 1/2,  and a $20  plan  termination  fee;
however, the annual fiduciary fee is waived if your IRA has assets of $10,000 or
more or if you invest  regularly  through the Investor  Service Center Automatic
Investment Program.

               More questions? Call toll-free 1-888-503-FUND(3863)

<PAGE>

How to Get Started


To complete the IRA Applications,  please read the following.  Questions? Please
call   1-888-503-FUND   (3863)   to  speak  to  an   Investor   Service   Center
Representative.

1. Print the registration information where requested in Part 1.

2.    Check the circle in Part 2 to specify the fund investment and the type of 
      IRA you are opening.

o If making the initial investment with a contribution, enclose a check drawn to
the order of Investor Service Center in the amount of the contribution.  Be sure
to  indicate  whether  this is a  contribution  for last year or for the current
year. Third party checks cannot be accepted.

o If this is a Direct Transfer from another IRA custodian or trustee,  check the
appropriate circle to indicate whether IRA assets were originally from a Regular
IRA to which you have made annual  contributions,  or originally from a Rollover
IRA that contains only assets from a qualified plan or 403(b) arrangement. Also,
complete and sign the IRA Transfer, Direct Rollover & Conversion form.

o If this is a Direct  Rollover  from an employer  sponsored  qualified  plan or
403(b)  arrangement,  check the  appropriate  circle.  Complete and sign the IRA
Transfer, Direct Rollover & Conversion Form.

o If applicable,  check the circle for a 60-Day  Rollover.  A 60-Day Rollover is
one where your IRA assets with another custodian were wholly  distributed to you
and within 60 days you are rolling the assets over to an Investor Service Center
IRA.

o For a Roth IRA, check the circle in Part 2 to specify the type of Roth IRA you
are opening and provide the requested information.

o If this is a Roth IRA to which you  expect to make  contributions  each  year,
enclose a check drawn to the order of Investor  Service  Center in the amount of
your first  contribution.  Third party checks  cannot be  accepted.  Only annual
contributions  may be  accepted  in a Roth  Contribution  IRA.  Roth IRAs became
available only starting  January 1, 1998, so you cannot make a contribution  for
tax year 1997.

o If you are  converting an existing  Investor  Service  Center Regular IRA to a
Roth IRA, check the  appropriate  circle.  Complete and attach the IRA Transfer,
Direct Rollover and Conversion form and indicate your current IRA account number
and how much you are  converting.  Conversion  of an  existing  Regular IRA will
result in  inclusion  of taxable  amounts in the  existing  Regular  IRA on your
income tax return.  Note: If a  conversion,  rollover or transfer from a Regular
IRA to a Roth  IRA is  being  made,  only  amounts  converted,  rolled  over  or
transferred  during the same tax year will be  accepted  in a single Roth IRA. A
separate Roth IRA must be  established to hold such amounts from a different tax
year.  Annual  contributions  may never be  deposited in a Roth IRA holding such
converted, rolled over or transferred amounts.

o If you want to convert your existing  Regular IRA with Investor Service Center
or with another custodian or trustee,  check the appropriate  circle. A rollover
or transfer  from an  existing  Regular IRA to a Roth IRA means that the taxable
amount in the existing Regular IRA will be treated as additional  income on your
income tax return.

o If you are making a Direct  Transfer  from  another  Roth IRA with a different
trustee or custodian or a 60-Day Rollover, check the appropriate circle. Put the
requested information where indicated.

o For an IRA  that  will be used to  receive  employer  contributions  under  an
employer's  simplified employee pension (or "SEP") plan or under a grandfathered
salary reduction SEP plan (or "SAR-SEP"),  check the appropriate  circle in Part
2.

3. To take advantage of regular monthly investing, complete Part 3.

4.  In  Part  4,  indicate   your  Primary   Beneficiary(ies)   and   Contingent
Beneficiary(ies).  Spousal  consent is required if a  beneficiary  is other than
your spouse.

5. Sign and date the IRA Application in Part 5 at the end. If the Depositor is a
minor under the laws of the Depositor's state of residence, a parent or guardian
must  sign the  Adoption  Agreement.  Until  the  Depositor  reaches  the age of
majority,  the parent or  guardian  will  exercise  the powers and duties of the
Depositor. (If guardian, provide copy of letters of appointment.)

    If you are transferring  assets or rolling over from an existing IRA to this
IRA, or  converting a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA,  please be sure to complete and
attach the IRA Transfer, Direct Rollover & Conversion form.

Send your completed forms and checks to: Investor Service Center, Inc., P.O. Box
419789, Kansas City MO 64141-6789

<PAGE>


<PAGE>



IRA APPLICATION

Use this IRA  Application  to open a new  IRA,  Rollover  IRA,  Roth  IRA,  Roth
Conversion  IRA, SEP IRA,  and/or SAR-SEP IRA. To open a SIMPLE IRA or Education
IRA, call 1-888-503-FUND  (3863). To establish more than one type of IRA, make a
copy of this IRA Application  for each type of IRA you wish to open.  Return the
completed  IRA  Application(s)  in the  enclosed  envelope or mail to:  Investor
Service Center, Box 419789, Kansas City, MO 64141-6789.

1.  Registration  If you need  assistance  in completing  this IRA  Application,
please call 1-888-503-FUND (3863).

First Name    Middle Initial   Last Name       Social Security Number (required)

Mailing Address (Street and Apartment Number or Box Number)    
                 
                    City and State                  Zip

 Birth Date (Month, Day, Year)       

  Home Telephone Number            Work Telephone Number         E-mail Address

Legal Residential Address (if different from Mailing Address)                   

               City and State                   Zip

2.  Initial   Investment   ($1,000  Minimum)  Note:   Minimums  are  waived  for
participants in the Investor
Service  Center Bank Transfer Plan (see Section 3). If you are  transferring  or
converting an existing IRA, please enclose the  "Authorization for IRA Transfer,
Direct Rollover & Conversion" form.

Check the Fund you are investing in.
o   Midas Fund
o   Rockwood Fund
o   Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves
o   Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund
o   Bull & Bear U.S. and Overseas Fund
o   Bull & Bear Gold Investors
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Regular IRA

o Deductible or non-deductible contribution for tax year 199(     )
o Direct Transfer* from an existing      o Regular IRA    o Rollover IRA**
o Direct Rollover from an employer-sponsored plan*
o 60-Day Rollover from an existing       o Regular IRA    o Rollover IRA**  
                                                              Amount: $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Roth  Contribution  IRA (Only  annual  contributions  may be  accepted in a Roth
Contribution IRA.)

o Non-deductible contribution for tax year 199(     )
o Direct  Transfer from Roth  Contribution  IRA,  established on _____________*
o 60-Day Rollover from Roth Contribution IRA, established on     _____________ 
                                                      Amount: $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Roth Conversion IRA

o Convert my existing Investor Service Center Regular IRA to a Roth 
  Conversion IRA*
o Convert my existing Regular IRA with another custodian to an Investor 
  Service Center Roth Conversion IRA*
o Direct Transfer from existing Roth Conversion IRA, established on __________*
o 60-Day Rollover from existing Roth Conversion IRA, established on __________
                                                               Amount: $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
SEP IRA

o SEP Employer (or self employed) contribution
o Direct Transfer from existing SEP IRA*
o 60-Day Rollover from a SEP IRA                              Amount: $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
SAR-SEP IRA plan established before 1997

o SEP Employee  Salary  Reduction  
o Direct  Transfer  from existing  SAR-SEP IRA*
o 60-Day Rollover from a SAR-SEP IRA                          Amount: $


  * Complete and enclose IRA Transfer, Direct Rollover & Conversion Form.
** A  Rollover  IRA is an IRA  originally  set up  with a  distribution  from an
employer-sponsored program.
<PAGE>

3. Investor Service Center Bank Transfer Plan  Lets you automatically purchase
shares of the  Investor  Service  Center  mutual fund you specify  each month by
transferring the dollar amount you specify from your bank account. Please attach
a voided  check to this IRA  Application  showing  the bank name,  address,  and
account number.

From my bank account,  please invest  automatically on the t10th t15th t20th day
of each month the following amount into my Investor Service Center IRA.
                                            Amount: $
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund Name*                                           $100 Minimum
*If no Investor Service Center mutual fund is specified,  the investment will be
made in the money market fund, Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves.

4. IRA Beneficiary  Designation "I hereby designate each person named below as a
beneficiary
of my IRA in the manner set forth  below." If  designating  beneficiaries  other
than a spouse please obtain the spouse's  consent.  "I consent to (1) the naming
of another person as primary beneficiary to receive more than half of this IRA's
assets,  and/or (2) the naming of myself as  primary  beneficiary  and others as
contingent  beneficiaries.  I give any interest in these assets to my spouse, to
the extent  necessary to accomplish each  beneficiary  designation  made below."

- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Spouse's Signature                                      Date

Primary Beneficiary(ies):
First Name  Middle Initial  Last Name   Share %*   Birth Date (Month, Day, Year)
                       
Relationship

First Name  Middle Initial  Last Name   Share %*   Birth Date (Month, Day, Year)

Relationship

*Shares for all primary beneficiaries combined must add up to 100%. Please do 
not indicate fractional percentages. "If more than one person is named and no 
percentages are indicated, payment shall be made in equal shares to my primary 
beneficiary(ies) who survive me. If a percentage is indicated and a primary
beneficiary does not survive me, the percentage of that beneficiary's
designated share shall be divided equally among the surviving primary 
beneficiary(ies). If no primary beneficiary is living at the time of my death, I
hereby specify that the balance be distributed in the same manner to my 
contingent beneficiary(ies) listed below."

Contingent Beneficiary(ies):
 
First Name  Middle Initial  Last Name  Share %*   Birth Date (Month, Day, Year)

Relationship

First Name  Middle Initial  Last Name  Share %*   Birth Date (Month, Day, Year)

Relationship

*Shares for all contingent beneficiaries combined must add up to 100%. Please do
 not indicate fractional percentages. Note: If beneficiary is a trust, please 
 indicate the trust's name and address, the date of the trust, and the name(s)
of  the  trustee(s).  "I  understand  that  if I  choose  not to  designate  any
beneficiary,  my beneficiary will be my estate. I am aware that this beneficiary
designation  will remain in effect  until I deliver to Investor  Service  Center
another beneficiary designation with a later date."


<PAGE>

5. Signature Please sign and date below.

" I hereby adopt the Investor Service Center IRA Custodial Agreement and 
Disclosure Statement as may be amended from time to time (the Investor Service 
Center IRA") and hereby appoint the Custodian named therein, as may be 
designated or redesignated from time to time (the "Custodian"). I have received
and read the prospectus(es) of the Fund(s) in which I am investing and the 
Investor Service Center IRA Agreement. I agree that none of the Custodian, 
Investor Service Center, Inc. ("ISC") nor the Fund(s) will be liable for acting 
in good faith upon instructions it receives and believes genuine under
reasonable procedures designed to prevent unauthorized transactions. I 
understand all telephone conversations with ISC representatives are recorded and
hereby consent to such recording. If I am opening this IRA with a distribution 
from an employer-sponsored retirement plan, I certify that such distribution 
qualifies for rollover treatment and irrevocably elect to treat it as a Rollover
contribution. I understand the annual IRA fiduciary fee of $10, pre-age 591/2 
distribution fee of $10, and plan termination fee of $20 per IRA may be 
separately billed or collected by redeeming sufficient shares from my account. 
ISC or the Custodian may change this fee schedule from time to time, as provided
in the Investor Service Center IRA. By signing below, I hereby consent to the
terms of the Investor Service Center IRA and to the beneficiary(ies) I have 
designated above." 

My Signature  (If a minor, parent or guardian must sign)              Date

             THANK YOU FOR INVESTING WITH INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER!
Investors  Fiduciary  Trust Company will accept  appointment as Custodian of the
Depositor's Account, which becomes binding upon the Custodian when the Depositor
receives a confirmation of the purchase of the Fund shares  indicated above. The
confirmation  also will  serve as  notification  of  Investors  Fiduciary  Trust
Company's acceptance of appointment as Custodian of the Depositor's Account.

Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, Custodian
Signature






<PAGE>



IRA TRANSFER, DIRECT ROLLOVER & CONVERSION FORM

Use this form to  transfer an IRA with  another  custodian  to Investor  Service
Center, to make a direct rollover from a qualified  retirement plan or 403(b) to
an  Investor  Service  Center  IRA,  or to convert a Regular  IRA to an Investor
Service  Center  Roth IRA.  Make  sure you  attach a copy of your  existing  IRA
account  statement  and  an  Investor  Service  Center  IRA  Application  and/or
Authorization to Add an IRA form if you do not have an existing Investor Service
Center IRA of the type  necessary to receive the assets.  Return this  completed
Form in the enclosed  envelope or mail to: Investor Service Center,  Box 419789,
Kansas City, MO 64141-6789.

1.  Registration  If you need  assistance in completing  this Form,  please call
1-888-503-FUND (3863).

First Name       Middle Initial                        Last Name

Mailing Address (Street and Apartment Number or Box Number) 
              City and State                          Zip

Social Security Number (required)              Birth Date (Month, Day, Year)   

      Home Telephone Number                    Work Telephone Number

2. Tell Us About Your Existing IRA Please attach a recent IRA account  statement
or provide the
information  requested  below. If you do not have an existing  Investor  Service
Center IRA of the type receiving the IRA assets,  please also attach an Investor
Service Center IRA Application and/or Authorization to Add an IRA.

Type of Account: o Regular IRA  o Rollover IRA (if transferring funds originally
                                                in an employer-sponsored plan) 
                 o Roth Contribution IRA o Roth Conversion IRA  o  SEP-IRA
                 o SAR-SEP  IRA(for  plans  established  prior to  1997)  

Where It Is  Currently Located:

Name of Current Custodian

Address of Current Custodian           City and State                  Zip

Name and Telephone Number of Current Custodian or Service Organization 

How It Is Currently Invested:

Mutual Fund or Bank Name      Account Number      

 CD Date of Maturity (Month, Day, Year)+                 Other(Specify)

+ If you liquidate a CD prior to maturity, you may incur a penalty. Send us this
IRA Transfer Form at least three weeks prior to the CD's maturity.
If your CD matures  in less than three  weeks,  call  1-888-503-FUND  (3863) for
procedures.

3.  Tell  Us How to  Invest  Your  Transfer  Proceeds  Please  check  one of the
following:
o I am opening a new Investor Service Center IRA.  Attached is my completed IRA
Application  and/or  Authorization  to Add an IRA.  
o I already  have an Investor Service Center IRA of the type necessary to 
  receive the assets:

Investor Service Center IRA Account Number

Important  Note:  If Rollover  and  Regular IRA assets are  combined in the same
account  you will  forfeit the right to roll over your  Rollover  IRA to another
qualified plan in the future, which may have tax implications.
<PAGE>


4. Authorization to Transfer Your IRA to Investor Service Center

Please  transfer-in-kind  or withdraw  assets  from my  existing  account in the
following manner:

A) o Liquidate o all o part $ ________________  of the account listed in Section
2 and transfer any proceeds to my Investor  Service Center IRA o immediately
 o at maturity.

B) o Transfer-in-kind my Investor Service Center Fund shares held in the account
listed in Section 2 above to my Investor Service Center IRA.

     I have  received  and read the  prospectus  for the  Fund(s)  in which I am
investing.  If I am  over  701/2,  I  attest  that  none  of  the  amount  to be
transferred will include the required minimum  distribution for the current year
pursuant to Section  401(a)(9)  of the Internal  Revenue  Code. I certify to the
present  IRA  custodian  or  trustee  that the  undersigned  has  established  a
successor  Individual  Retirement  Custodial Account meeting the requirements of
Internal  Revenue  Code  Section  408(a)  or 408A  (as the case may be) to which
assets will be transferred,  and certifies to Investors  Fiduciary Trust Company
that the IRA from which assets are being  transferred  meets the requirements of
Internal Revenue Code Section 408(a) or 408A (as the case may be).

 Signature                                                     Date

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (only if required by current custodian or trustee)

 Name of Bank or Dealer Firm

 Signature of Officer and Title

Investors  Fiduciary  Trust Company will accept  appointment as Custodian of the
Depositor's Account, which becomes binding upon the Custodian when the Depositor
receives a confirmation of the purchase of the Fund shares  indicated above. The
confirmation  also will  serve as  notification  of  Investors  Fiduciary  Trust
Company's acceptance of appointment as Custodian of the Depositor's Account.

Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, Custodian
Signature



<PAGE>



AUTHORIZATION  TO ADD AN IRA

If you already have one type of IRA with Investor  Service  Center,  you can use
this form to open another type of IRA with Investor Service Center. For example,
if you already have a deductible-type  Regular IRA with Investor Service Center,
use this form to establish a new Roth-type IRA with Investor Service Center.  If
you want to establish more than one additional type, i.e., a Roth and a SEP-IRA,
make a copy of this form, and return one completed copy for each additional type
of IRA you wish to open.  Return this  completed  Authorization  in the enclosed
envelope or mail to:  Investor  Service  Center,  Box 419789,  Kansas  City,  MO
64141-6789.

1. Request for an  Additional  IRA Do not use this form to open a SIMPLE IRA. To
open a SIMPLE IRA, for information on how to make future changes to your IRA, or
if you need  assistance  in  completing  this form,  please call  1-888-503-FUND
(3863).

Please  open an  additional  Individual  Retirement  Account  (IRA)  for which I
authorize  the  identical  account,  address,  accountholder  birthdate,  social
security number,  and beneficiary  information as given for the existing account
listed below. I direct that the initial investment  indicated below be made with
the same  mutual  fund(s)  (and if more  than one fund,  in the same  percentage
allocation) as is the IRA account number listed below, unless I have checked the
following box o, in which case 100% should be invested in the  following  mutual
fund: ______________.     

Existing Account Information:

Existing IRA Account Number     Social Security Number         Day Telephone #
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
2.  Initial   Investment   ($1,000  Minimum)  Note:   Minimums  are  waived  for
participants in the Investor
Service  Center Bank Transfer Plan (see Section 3). If you are  transferring  or
converting an existing IRA, please enclose the  "Authorization for IRA Transfer,
Direct Rollover & Conversion" form.
- --------------------------------------------
Regular IRA

o Deductible or non-deductible contribution for tax year 199(     )
o Direct Transfer* from an existing          o Regular IRA   o Rollover IRA**
o Direct Rollover from an employer-sponsored plan*
o 60-Day Rollover from an existing           o Regular IRA   o Rollover IRA**
                                                           Amount: $
- --------------------------------------------
Roth  Contribution  IRA (Only annual contributions may be accepted in a Roth
Contribution IRA.)

o Non-deductible contribution for tax year 199(     )
o Direct  Transfer from Roth  Contribution  IRA,  established on  ____________*
o 60-Day Rollover from Roth Contribution IRA, established on    ______________ 
                                                            Amount: $          
- ---------------------------------------------  
Roth Conversion IRA

o Convert my existing Investor Service Center Regular IRA 
  to a Roth Conversion IRA*
o Convert my existing Regular IRA with another custodian to an Investor 
  Service Center Roth Conversion IRA*
o Direct Transfer from existing Roth Conversion IRA, established on___________*
o 60-Day Rollover from existing Roth Conversion IRA, established on__________  
                                                             Amount: $
- ----------------------------------------------
SEP IRA

o SEP Employer (or self employed) contribution
o Direct Transfer from existing SEP IRA*
o 60-Day Rollover from a SEP IRA                              Amount: $
- ----------------------------------------------
SAR-SEP IRA plan established before 1997

oSEP Employee  Salary  Reduction  
o Direct  Transfer  from existing  SAR-SEP IRA*
o 60-Day Rollover from a SAR-SEP IRA                          Amount: $
- -----------------------------------------------
* Complete and enclose IRA Transfer, Direct Rollover & Conversion Form.
** A  Rollover  IRA is an IRA  originally  set up  with a  distribution  from an
employer-sponsored program.
<PAGE>


3. Investor Service Center Bank Transfer Plan  Lets you automatically purchase
shares of the  Investor  Service  Center  mutual fund you specify  each month by
transferring the dollar amount you specify from your bank account. Please attach
a voided  check to this IRA  Application  showing  the bank name,  address,  and
account number.

From my bank account,  please invest  automatically on the o10th o15th o20th day
of each month the following amount into my Investor Service Center IRA.
                                 Amount: $                        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Fund Name*                                        $100 Minimum

*If no Investor Service Center mutual fund is specified,  the investment will be
made in the money market fund, Bull & Bear Dollar Reserves.

4. Signature Please sign and date below.

" I hereby  adopt the  Investor  Service  Center  IRA  Custodial  Agreement  and
Disclosure  Statement as may be amended from time to time (the "Investor Service
Center  IRA")  and  hereby  appoint  the  Custodian  named  therein,  as  may be
designated or redesignated from time to time (the "Custodian").  I have received
and read the  prospectus(es)  of the  Fund(s)  in which I am  investing  and the
Investor  Service  Center IRA  Agreement.  I agree  that none of the  Custodian,
Investor Service Center,  Inc. ("ISC") nor the Fund(s) will be liable for acting
in  good  faith  upon  instructions  it  receives  and  believes  genuine  under
reasonable   procedures  designed  to  prevent  unauthorized   transactions.   I
understand all telephone conversations with ISC representatives are recorded and
hereby consent to such  recording.  If I am opening this IRA with a distribution
from an  employer-sponsored  retirement  plan, I certify that such  distribution
qualifies for rollover treatment and irrevocably elect to treat it as a Rollover
contribution.  I understand  the annual IRA fiduciary fee of $10,  pre-age 591/2
distribution  fee of  $10,  and  plan  termination  fee of $20  per  IRA  may be
separately  billed or collected by redeeming  sufficient shares from my account.
ISC or the Custodian may change this fee schedule from time to time, as provided
in the Investor  Service  Center IRA. By signing  below, I hereby consent to the
terms of the  Investor  Service  Center IRA and to the  beneficiary(ies)  I have
designated above." 
- ----------------------------------------------------
My Signature                                   Date



If the  Depositor  is a  minor  under  the  laws  of the  Depositor's  state  of
residence,  a parent or guardian  must sign the  Adoption  Agreement.  Until the
Depositor reaches the age of majority,  the parent or guardian will exercise the
powers and duties of the  Depositor.  (If  guardian,  provide copy of letters of
appointment )

Signature of Parent or Guardian                                     Date


Investors  Fiduciary  Trust Company will accept  appointment as Custodian of the
Depositor's Account, which becomes binding upon the Custodian when the Depositor
receives a confirmation of the purchase of the Fund shares  indicated above. The
confirmation  also will  serve as  notification  of  Investors  Fiduciary  Trust
Company's acceptance of appointment as Custodian of the Depositor's Account.

Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, Custodian
Signature



<PAGE>


                              Disclosure Statement

                     Part One: Description of Regular IRAs

INTRODUCTION

     Part One of the  Disclosure  Statement  describes  the rules  applicable to
Regular IRAs beginning January 1, 1998. IRAs described in these pages are called
"Regular  IRAs" to  distinguish  them from the new "Roth IRAs"  first  available
starting  in 1998.  Roth  IRAs  are  described  in Part  Two of this  Disclosure
Statement.
     For Regular IRA contributions for 1997 (including  contributions made up to
April 15, 1998 but designated as  contributions  for 1997),  there are different
rules for determining the deductibility of your contribution on your federal tax
return.  For  contributions  for  1997,  the  "active   participant"  limits  on
deductibility  (described below) apply if either spouse is an active participant
in an  employer-sponsored  plan.  Also, the adjusted gross income ("AGI") levels
for partially deductible or nondeductible  Regular IRA contributions  (described
below) are lower for 1997  ($25,000 for single  taxpayers,  with no deduction if
your AGI is above $35,000; $40,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly, with no
deduction if your AGI is above  $50,000).  Also, the exceptions to the 10% early
withdrawal penalty for withdrawals to pay certain higher education or first-time
homebuyer expenses do not apply to withdrawals in 1997.
     This Part One of the Disclosure  Statement  describes Regular IRAs. It does
not  describe  Roth  IRAs,  a new  type  of  IRA  available  starting  in  1998.
Contributions  to a Roth IRA are not  deductible  (regardless  of your AGI), but
withdrawals  that meet certain  requirements  are not subject to federal  income
tax, so that dividends and investment growth on amounts held in the Roth IRA can
escape federal income tax. Please see Part Two of this  Disclosure  Statement to
learn more about Roth IRAs.
     Regular IRAs described in this Disclosure  Statement may be used as part of
a simplified  employee  pension (SEP) plan maintained by your employer.  Under a
SEP  your  employer  may make  contributions  to your  Regular  IRA,  and  these
contributions  may exceed the normal limits on Regular IRA  contributions.  This
Disclosure  Statement does not describe IRAs  established  in connection  with a
SIMPLE IRA  program  maintained  by your  employer.  Employers  provide  special
explanatory  materials for accounts established as part of a SIMPLE IRA program.
Regular IRAs may be used in  connection  with a SIMPLE IRA program,  but for the
first two years of  participation  a special  SIMPLE IRA (not a Regular  IRA) is
required.

YOUR REGULAR IRA

     This Part One contains information about your Regular Individual Retirement
Custodial  Account with Investor Service Center. A Regular IRA gives you several
tax benefits. Earnings on the assets held in your Regular IRA are not subject to
federal income tax until withdrawn by you. You may be able to deduct all or part
of your Regular IRA contribution on your federal income tax return. State income
tax  treatment of your Regular IRA may differ from federal  treatment;  ask your
state tax department or your personal tax advisor for details.
     Be sure to read  Part  Three of this  Disclosure  Statement  for  important
additional information, including information on how to revoke your Regular IRA,
investments  and  prohibited  transactions,  fees and expenses,  and certain tax
requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

What are the eligibility requirements for a Regular IRA?
    You are eligible to establish and contribute to a Regular IRA for a year if:

o You received  compensation  (or earned income if you are self employed) during
the year for personal  services you rendered.  If you received  taxable alimony,
this is treated like compensation for IRA purposes.
o    You did not reach age 70 1/2 during the year.

Can I contribute to a Regular IRA for my Spouse?
     For each year before the year when your spouse  attains age 70 1/2, you can
contribute to a separate Regular IRA for your spouse, regardless of whether your
spouse had any  compensation  or earned  income in that  year.  This is called a
"spousal IRA." To make a contribution to a Regular IRA for your spouse, you must
file a joint tax return for the year with your spouse.  For a spousal IRA,  your
spouse must set up a different  Regular IRA,  separate from yours,  to which you
contribute.

CONTRIBUTIONS

When can I make contributions to a Regular IRA?
     You may make a contribution to your existing Regular IRA or establish a new
Regular IRA for a taxable year by the due date (not  including  any  extensions)
for your federal income tax return for the year. Usually this is April 15 of the
following year.

How much can I contribute to my Regular IRA?
     For each year when you are eligible (see above),  you can  contribute up to
the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your  compensation (or earned income, if you are
self-employed).  However,  under  the  tax  laws,  all  or  a  portion  of  your
contribution may not be deductible.
     If you  and  your  spouse  have  spousal  Regular  IRAs,  each  spouse  may
contribute  up to  $2,000  to his or her IRA for a year as long as the  combined
compensation  of both  spouses  for the year (as shown on your joint  income tax
return) is at least $4,000. If the combined compensation of both spouses is less
than $4,000, the spouse with the higher amount of compensation may contribute up
to that spouse's  compensation  amount,  or $2,000 if less.  The spouse with the
lower  compensation  amount  may  contribute  any  amount  up to  that  spouse's
compensation  plus any excess of the other spouse's  compensation over the other
spouse's IRA contribution.  However, the maximum contribution to either spouse's
Regular IRA is $2,000 for the year.
     

<PAGE>

     If you (or your spouse) establish a new Roth IRA and make  contributions to
both your  Regular IRA and a Roth IRA, the combined  limit on  contributions  to
both your (or your spouse's) Regular IRA and Roth IRA for a single calendar year
is $2,000.

How do I know if my contribution is tax deductible?
     The  deductibility  of your  contribution  depends  upon whether you are an
active participant in any employer-sponsored  retirement plan. If you are not an
active participant, the entire contribution to your Regular IRA is deductible.
     If you  are an  active  participant  in an  employer-sponsored  plan,  your
Regular IRA  contribution  may still be completely or partly  deductible on your
tax return.  This depends on the amount of your income (see  below).  Similarly,
the  deductibility  of a  contribution  to a Regular IRA for your spouse depends
upon  whether  your spouse is an active  participant  in any  employer-sponsored
retirement plan. If your spouse is not an active  participant,  the contribution
to your  spouse's  Regular IRA will be  deductible.  If your spouse is an active
participant,  the Regular IRA  contribution  will be  completely,  partly or not
deductible depending upon your combined income.
     An  exception  to  the  preceding  rules  applies  to  high-income  married
taxpayers,  where one spouse is an active  participant in an  employer-sponsored
retirement  plan and the other spouse is not. A  contribution  to the non-active
participant  spouse's Regular IRA will be only partly  deductible at an adjusted
gross income level on the joint tax return of  $150,000,  and the  deductibility
will be phased out as  described  below over the next $10,000 so that there will
be no  deduction  at all with an  adjusted  gross  income  level of  $160,000 or
higher.

How do I determine my or my spouse's "active participant" status?
     Your (or your  spouse's)  Form W-2 should  indicate if you (or your spouse)
were an active participant in an employer-sponsored  retirement plan for a year.
If you have a question, you should ask your employer or the plan administrator.
     In addition, regardless of income level, your spouse's "active participant"
status will not affect the  deductibility of your  contributions to your Regular
IRA if you and your spouse file  separate  tax returns for the taxable  year and
you lived apart at all times during the taxable year.

What are the deduction restrictions for active participants?
     If you (or your  spouse)  are an active  participant  in an  employer  plan
during a year, the  contribution  to your Regular IRA (or your spouse's  Regular
IRA) may be  completely,  partly or not  deductible  depending  upon your filing
status and your amount of adjusted gross income ("AGI"). If AGI is any amount up
to the lower limit,  the  contribution is deductible.  If your AGI falls between
the lower limit and the upper limit, the contribution is partly  deductible.  If
your AGI falls above the upper limit, the contribution is not deductible.

                         FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS - 1998

If You Are Single           If You Are Married           Then Your Regular IRA
                            Filing Jointly                  Contribution Is
- ------------------          ------------------           ---------------------
Up to Lower Limit            Up toLower Limit               Fully Deductible
($30,000 for 1998)          ($50,000 for 1998)

More than Lower Limit        More than Lower Limit          Partly Deductible
but less than                but less than
Upper Limit ($40,000         Upper Limit ($60,000 
for 1998)                    for 1998)

Upper Limit or more          Upper Limit or more             Not Deductible

                     TABLE OF FUTURE LOWER AND UPPER LIMITS

The Lower  Limit and the Upper Limit will  change for 1999 and later  years,  as
shown in the following table. Substitute the correct Lower Limit and Upper Limit
in the table above to determine  deductibility in any particular year. (Note: if
you are married but filing separate returns, your Lower Limit is always zero and
your Upper Limit is always $10,000).

YEAR                      SINGLE                    MARRIED FILING JOINTLY
- -----               --------------------------     ---------------------------
                    Lower Limit    Upper Limit     Lower Limit    Upper Limit

1999                 $31,000        $41,000          $51,000        $61,000
2000                 $32,000        $42,000          $52,000        $62,000
2001                 $33,000        $43,000          $53,000        $63,000
2002                 $34,000        $44,000          $54,000        $64,000
2003                 $40,000        $50,000          $60,000        $70,000
2004                 $45,000        $55,000          $65,000        $75,000
2005                 $50,000        $60,000          $70,000        $80,000
2006                 $50,000        $60,000          $75,000        $85,000
2007 and later       $50,000        $60,000          $80,000        $100,000

<PAGE>

How do I calculate my deduction if I fall in the "partly deductible" range?
     If your AGI falls in the partly  deductible  range,  you must calculate the
portion of your  contribution  that is  deductible.  To do this,  multiply  your
contribution  by a  fraction.  The  numerator  is the  amount by which  your AGI
exceeds  the lower  limit  (for 1998:  $30,000 if single,  or $50,000 if married
filing  jointly).  The  denominator  is $10,000 (note that the  denominator  for
married  joint  filers is $20,000  starting  in 2007).  Subtract  this from your
contribution  and then round down to the nearest $10. The  deductible  amount is
the greater of the amount  calculated or $200 (provided you contributed at least
$200). If your contribution was less than $200, then the entire  contribution is
deductible.
     For example, assume that you make a $2,000 contribution to your Regular IRA
in 1998,  a year in  which  you are an  active  participant  in your  employer's
retirement  plan.  Also  assume  that your AGI is $57,555  and you are  married,
filing jointly.  You would calculate the deductible portion of your contribution
this way:

1.   The amount by which your AGI exceeds the lower limit of the partly
     deductible range:    ($57,555 _ $50,000) = $7,555

2.   Divide this by $10,000:                $7,555     =  0.7555
                           $10,000

3. Multiply this by your contribution limit:

     0.7555 x $2,000 = $1,511

4. Subtract this from your contribution:

     $2,000 - $1,551 = $489

5.   Round this down to the nearest $10: $489 ----- $480

6.   Your deductible contribution is the greater of this amount, $480, or $200

     Even though part or all of your  contribution  is not  deductible,  you may
still  contribute  to your Regular IRA (and your spouse may  contribute  to your
spouse's Regular IRA) up to the limit on  contributions.  When you file your tax
return  for  the  year,  you  must   designate  the  amount  of   non-deductible
contributions to your Regular IRA for the year. See IRS Form 8606.

How do I determine my AGI?
     AGI is your gross income minus those  deductions which are available to all
taxpayers  even if they don't  itemize.  Instructions  to calculate your AGI are
provided with your income tax Form 1040 or 1040A.

What happens if I contribute more than allowed to my regular IRA?
     The maximum  contribution you can make to a Regular IRA generally is $2,000
or 100% of  compensation  or  earned  income,  whichever  is  less.  Any  amount
contributed to the IRA above the maximum is considered an "excess contribution."
The excess is  calculated  using your  contribution  limit,  not the  deductible
limit.  An excess  contribution  is subject to excise tax of 6% for each year it
remains in the IRA.

How can I correct an excess contribution?
     Excess  contributions may be corrected  without paying a 6% penalty.  To do
so, you must  withdraw the excess and any earnings on the excess  before the due
date  (including  extensions)  for filing your federal income tax return for the
year for which you made the excess contribution. A deduction should not be taken
for any excess  contribution.  The earnings  must be included in your income for
the tax year for which the  contribution  was made and may be  subject  to a 10%
premature withdrawal tax if you have not reached age 59 1/2.

What happens if I don't  correct the excess  contribution  by the tax return due
date?
     Any excess contribution not withdrawn by the tax return due date (including
any extensions) for the year for which the contribution was made will be subject
to the 6%  excise  tax.  There  will be an  additional  6%  excise  tax for each
subsequent year the excess remains in your account.
     Under limited  circumstances,  you may correct an excess contribution after
tax filing time by withdrawing the excess contribution  (leaving the earnings in
the account).  This  withdrawal  will not be includable in income nor will it be
subject to any premature  withdrawal  penalty if (1) your  contributions  to all
Regular IRAs do not exceed  $2,000 and (2) you did not take a deduction  for the
excess  amount (or you file an amended  return (Form  1040X)  which  removes the
excess deduction).

How are excess contributions treated if none of the preceding rules apply?
     Unless an excess contribution qualifies for the special treatment outlined 
above, the excess contribution and any earnings on it withdrawn after tax filing
time will be includable in taxable income and may be subject to a 10% premature 
withdrawal penalty.  No deduction will be allowed for the excess contribution 
for the year in which it is made.
     Excess  contributions  may be corrected in a subsequent  year to the extent
that  you  contribute  less  than  your  maximum  amount.  As the  prior  excess
contribution   is  reduced  or  eliminated,   the  6%  excise  tax  will  become
correspondingly reduced or eliminated for subsequent tax years. Also, you may be
able to take an income tax  deduction  for the amount of excess that was reduced
or eliminated, depending on whether you would be able to take a deduction if you
had instead contributed the same amount.
<PAGE>

Are the earnings on my regular IRA funds taxed?
     Any dividends on or growth of the investments  held in your Regular IRA are
generally exempt from federal income taxes and will not be taxed until withdrawn
by you,  unless the tax exempt  status of your  Regular IRA is revoked  (this is
described in Part Three of this Disclosure Statement).

TRANSFERS/ROLLOVERS

Can I  transfer  or roll  over a  distribution  I  receive  from  my  employer's
retirement plan into a regular IRA?
     Almost all  distributions  from employer plans or 403(b)  arrangements (for
employees of  tax-exempt  employers)  are eligible for transfer or rollover to a
Regular IRA. The main exceptions are

o  payments  over  the  lifetime  or  life  expectancy  of the  participant  (or
participant and a designated  beneficiary),  
o  installment payments for a period of 10 years or more,  
o  required  distributions  (generally  the rules require distributions starting
   at age 70 1/2 or for  certain  employees  starting  at
   retirement,  if later), and 
o  payments of employee after-tax  contributions.  

     If you are eligible to receive a distribution from a tax qualified 
retirement plan as a result of, for example, termination of employment, plan
discontinuance,   or  retirement,  all  or  part  of  the  distribution  may  be
transferred  directly  into  your  Regular  IRA.  This  is a  called  a  "Direct
Rollover." Or, you may receive the  distribution  and make a regular rollover to
your Regular IRA within 60 days, called a "60-Day  Rollover." By making a Direct
Rollover or a 60-Day  Rollover,  you can defer income taxes on the amount rolled
over until you subsequently make withdrawals from your IRA.
     The   maximum   amount  you  may  roll  over  is  the  amount  of  employer
contributions  and  earnings  distributed.  You may not roll over any  after-tax
employee contributions you made to the employer retirement plan. If you are over
age 70 1/2 and are  required to take minimum  distributions  under the tax laws,
you may not roll over any amount  required  to be  distributed  to you under the
minimum  distribution  rules.  Also, if you are receiving periodic payments over
your or your and your designated  beneficiary's  life expectancy or for a period
of at least 10 years,  you may not roll over these  payments.  A  rollover  to a
regular IRA must be  completed  within 60 days after the  distribution  from the
employer retirement plan to be valid.
     A qualified plan  administrator or 403(b) sponsor must withhold 20% of your
distribution for federal income taxes unless you elect a Direct  Rollover.  Your
plan or 403(b) sponsor is required to provide you with information  about Direct
and 60-Day Rollovers and withholding  taxes before you receive your distribution
and must comply with your directions to make a Direct Rollover.
     The rules governing rollovers are complicated.  Be sure to consult your tax
advisor or the IRS if you have a question about rollovers.

Once I  have  rolled  over  a  plan  distribution  into  a  Regular  IRA,  can I
subsequently roll over into another employer's qualified retirement plan?
     Yes. Part or all of an eligible distribution received from a qualified plan
may be transferred  from the Regular IRA holding it to another  qualified  plan.
However,  the IRA must have no assets  other  than those  which were  previously
distributed to you from the qualified plan. Specifically, the IRA cannot contain
any  contributions  by you (or your spouse).  Also,  the new qualified plan must
accept rollovers. Similar rules apply to Regular IRAs established with rollovers
from 403(b) arrangements.

Can I make a 60-Day Rollover from my Regular IRA to another Regular IRA?
     You may make a rollover  from one  Regular  IRA to another  Regular IRA you
have or you establish to receive the rollover. Such a rollover must be completed
within 60 days after the withdrawal  from your first Regular IRA. After making a
60-Day Rollover from one Regular IRA to another,  you must wait a full year (365
days) before you can make another such  rollover.  (However,  you can instruct a
Regular IRA  custodian  to  transfer  amounts  directly  to another  Regular IRA
custodian; called a Direct Transfer, it does not count as a rollover.)

What happens if I combine rollover contributions with my normal contributions in
one IRA?
     If you  wish to make  both a  normal  annual  contribution  and a  rollover
contribution,  you may wish to open two separate  Regular IRAs by completing two
IRA  Applications.  You should  consult a tax advisor  before making your annual
contribution to the IRA you established with rollover  contributions  (or make a
rollover  contribution to the IRA to which you make your annual  contributions).
This is because combining your annual  contributions and rollover  contributions
originating  from an  employer  plan  distribution  would  prohibit  the  future
rollover out of the IRA into another  qualified plan. If despite this, you still
wish  to  combine  a  rollover  contribution  and the IRA  holding  your  annual
contributions,  you should  establish  the  account as a Regular  IRA on the IRA
Application   (not  a  Rollover  IRA  or  Direct  Rollover  IRA)  and  make  the
contributions to that account.

How do rollovers affect my contribution or deduction limits?
     Rollover  contributions,  if properly made, do not count toward the maximum
contribution.  Also,  rollovers are not  deductible  and they do not affect your
deduction limits as described above.

What about converting my regular IRA to a Roth IRA?
     The  rules for  converting  a  Regular  IRA to a new Roth IRA,  or making a
rollover from a Regular IRA to a new Roth IRA, are described in Part Two below.

WITHDRAWALS

When can I make withdrawals from my Regular IRA?
     You may withdraw from your Regular IRA at any time.  However, withdrawals 
before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% penalty tax in addition to regular 
income taxes (see below).

When must I start making withdrawals?
     If you have not withdrawn your entire IRA by the April 1 following the year
in which you reach 70 1/2, you must make minimum  withdrawals  in order to avoid
penalty taxes.  The rule allowing  certain  employees to postpone  distributions
from an employer  qualified plan until actual  retirement (even if this is after
age 70 1/2) does not apply to Regular IRAs.
     The minimum withdrawal amount is determined by dividing the balance in your
Regular IRA (or IRAs) by your life expectancy or the combined life expectancy of
you and your designated  beneficiary.  The minimum withdrawal rules are complex.
Consult  your  tax  advisor  for  assistance.  The  penalty  tax  is  50% of the
difference  between the minimum  withdrawal  amount and your actual  withdrawals
during a year.  The IRS may waive or reduce the penalty tax if you can show that
your  failure to make the required  minimum  withdrawals  was due to  reasonable
cause and you are taking reasonable steps to remedy the problem.

How are withdrawals from my Regular IRA taxed?
     Amounts withdrawn by you are includable in your gross income in the taxable
year that you  receive  them,  and are  taxable  as  ordinary  income.  Lump sum
withdrawals  from a  Regular  IRA  are  not  eligible  for  averaging  treatment
currently  available to certain lump sum distributions  from qualified  employer
retirement plans.
    
<PAGE>

     Since the purpose of a Regular IRA is to accumulate  funds for  retirement,
your  receipt or use of any portion of your Regular IRA before you attain age 59
1/2 generally  will be considered  as an early  withdrawal  and subject to a 10%
penalty tax.

   The 10% penalty tax for early withdrawal will not apply if:

o  The distribution was a result of your death or disability.

o  The purpose of the withdrawal is to pay certain higher education expenses for
yourself or your spouse,  child,  or  grandchild.  Qualifying  expenses  include
tuition,  fees,  books,  supplies and  equipment  required for  attendance  at a
post-secondary  educational institution.  Room and board expenses may qualify if
the student is attending at least  half-time.  
o  The  withdrawal  is used to pay
eligible  first-time  homebuyer  expenses.  These are the  costs of  purchasing,
building or rebuilding a principal residence  (including  customary  settlement,
financing or closing costs).  The purchaser may be you, your spouse, or a child,
grandchild,  parent or  grandparent  of you or your  spouse.  An  individual  is
considered a  "first-time  homebuyer"  if the  individual  (or the  individual's
spouse, if married) did not have an ownership interest in a principal  residence
during the two-year  period  immediately  preceding the acquisition in question.
The  withdrawal  must be used for  eligible  expenses  within 120 days after the
withdrawal.  (If  there is an  unexpected  delay,  or  cancellation  of the home
acquisition, a withdrawal may be redeposited as a rollover). There is a lifetime
limit on eligible first-time homebuyer expenses of $10,000 per individual.

o The distribution is one of a scheduled series of substantially  equal periodic
payments  for  your  life  or  life  expectancy  (or  the  joint  lives  or life
expectancies  of you and your  beneficiary).  If there is an  adjustment  to the
scheduled  series of  payments,  the 10% penalty tax may apply.  The 10% penalty
will not apply if you make no change in the series of payments  until the end of
five  years or until  you reach age 59 1/2,  whichever  is later.  If you make a
change before then, the penalty will apply. For example,  if you begin receiving
payments at age 50 under a withdrawal program providing for substantially  equal
payments  over your life  expectancy,  and at age 58 you  elect to  receive  the
remaining  amount in your  Regular IRA in a  lump-sum,  the 10% penalty tax will
apply to the lump sum and to the  amounts  previously  paid to you before age 59
1/2.

o The  distribution  does not  exceed  the  amount  of your  deductible  medical
expenses for the year (generally  speaking,  medical expenses paid during a year
are deductible if they are greater than 7 1/2% of your adjusted gross income for
that year).

o The  distribution  does not exceed  the  amount you paid for health  insurance
coverage for yourself,  your spouse and dependents.  This exception applies only
if  you  have  been  unemployed  and  received  federal  or  state  unemployment
compensation  payments  for  at  least  12  weeks;  this  exception  applies  to
distributions   during  the  year  in  which  you  received   the   unemployment
compensation  and  during  the  following  year,  but  not to any  distributions
received after you have been reemployed for at least 60 days.

How are nondeductible contributions taxed when they are withdrawn?
     A withdrawal of nondeductible  contributions (not including  earnings) will
be  tax-free.   However,   if  you  made  both   deductible  and   nondeductible
contributions  to your Regular IRA,  then each  distribution  will be treated as
partly a return of your  nondeductible  contributions (not taxable) and partly a
distribution of deductible  contributions and earnings (taxable). The nontaxable
amount is the portion of the amount withdrawn which bears the same ratio as your
total  nondeductible  Regular IRA contributions bear to the total balance of all
your Regular IRAs  (including  rollover IRAs and SEPs,  but not  including  Roth
IRAs).
     For example, assume that you made the following Regular IRA contributions:

        Year                      Deductible            Nondeductible
        1995                      $2,000
        1996                      $2,000
        1997                      $1,000                $1,000
        1998                      ______                $1,000
                                  $5,000                $2,000
                                  ======                ======

     In addition assume that your Regular IRA has total investment earnings 
through 1998 of $1,000.  During 1998 you withdraw $500.  Your total account 
balance as of 12/31/98 is $7,500 as shown below.

        Deductible Contributions                           $5,000
        Nondeductible Contributions                        $2,000
        Earnings on IRA                                    $1,000
        Less 1998 Withdrawal                               $  500
          Total Account Balance as of 12/31/98             $7,500
                                                           ======

     To determine the nontaxable portion of your 1998 withdrawal, the total 1998
withdrawal  ($500)  must be  multiplied  by a  fraction.  The  numerator  of the
fraction  is the  total  of all  nondeductible  contributions  remaining  in the
account  before  the 1998  withdrawal  ($2,000).  The  denominator  is the total
account  balance as of  12-31-98  ($7,500)  plus the 1998  withdrawal  ($500) or
$8,000. The calculation is:

         Total Remaining

     Nondeductible Contributions               $2,000              
     ---------------------------               ------   X  $500  = $125
        Total Account Balance                  $8,000            

     Thus,  $125 of the $500  withdrawal  in 1998 will not be  included  in your
taxable  income.  The remaining $375 will be taxable for 1998. In addition,  for
future  calculations  the  remaining  nondeductible  contribution  total will be
$2,000 minus $125, or $1,875.
     A loss in your Regular IRA investment may be deductible. You should consult
your tax advisor for further  details on the  appropriate  calculation  for this
deduction if applicable.

Is there a penalty tax on certain large withdrawals or accumulations in my IRA?
     Earlier tax laws imposed a "success"  penalty  equal to 15% of  withdrawals
from  all  retirement   accounts  (including  IRAs,  401(k)  or  other  employer
retirement  plans,  403(b)  arrangements  and  others)  in a  year  exceeding  a
specified amount (initially $150,000 per year). Also, there was a 15% estate tax
penalty  on  excess  accumulations  remaining  in  IRAs  and  other  tax-favored
arrangements upon your death. These 15% penalty taxes have been repealed.

Important:  Please see Part Three below which contains important information 
applicable to all Investor Service Center IRAs.

<PAGE>

                       Part Two: Description of Roth IRAs

INTRODUCTION

    This Part Two of the  Disclosure  Statement  describes  the rules  generally
    applicable to Roth IRAs beginning  January 1, 1998. Roth IRAs are a new kind
    of IRA available for the first time in 1998. Contributions to a Roth IRA for
    1997 are not permitted.
Contributions  to a Roth IRA are not  tax-deductible,  but withdrawals that meet
certain  requirements  are not subject to federal  income taxes.  This makes the
dividends  on and growth of the  investments  held in your Roth IRA tax-free for
federal income tax purposes if the requirements are met.
    Regular  IRAs,   which  have  existed  since  1975,  are  still   available.
Contributions  to a Regular  IRA may be  tax-deductible.  Earnings  and gains on
amounts while held in a Regular IRA are tax-deferred. Withdrawals are subject to
federal  income  tax  (except  for prior  after-tax  contributions  which may be
recovered without additional federal income tax).
    This  Part  Two does  not  describe  Regular  IRAs.  If you  wish to  review
information  about  Regular  IRAs,  please  see  Part  One  of  this  Disclosure
Statement. Be sure to read Part Three of this Disclosure Statement for important
additional  information,  including  information on how to revoke your Roth IRA,
investments  and  prohibited  transactions,  fees and  expenses  and certain tax
requirements.  This Disclosure Statement also does not describe IRAs established
in connection with a SIMPLE IRA program or a Simplified  Employee  Pension (SEP)
plan maintained by your employer. Roth IRAs may not be used in connection with a
SIMPLE IRA program or a SEP plan.

YOUR ROTH IRA

    Your Roth IRA gives you several tax benefits.  While contributions to a Roth
IRA are not deductible,  dividends on and growth of the assets held in your Roth
IRA are not subject to federal income tax. Withdrawals by you from your Roth IRA
are  excluded  from your  income  for  federal  income tax  purposes  if certain
requirements  (described below) are met. State income tax treatment of your Roth
IRA may differ from federal  treatment;  ask your state tax  department  or your
personal tax advisor for details.

ELIGIBILITY

What are the eligibility requirements for a Roth IRA?
    Starting with 1998,  you are eligible to establish and  contribute to a Roth
IRA for a year if you received  compensation  (or earned  income if you are self
employed)  during the year for personal  services you rendered.  If you received
taxable alimony, this is treated like compensation for IRA purposes. In contrast
to a Regular IRA, with a Roth IRA you may continue  making  contributions  after
you reach age 70 1/2.

Can I contribute to a Roth IRA for my spouse?
    Starting with 1998,  if you meet the  eligibility  requirements  you can not
only  contribute  to your own Roth IRA, but also to a separate Roth IRA for your
spouse out of your  compensation  or earned  income,  regardless of whether your
spouse had any  compensation  or earned  income in that  year.  This is called a
"spousal Roth IRA." To make a  contribution  to a Roth IRA for your spouse,  you
must file a joint tax return for the year with your  spouse.  For a spousal Roth
IRA, your spouse must set up a different Roth IRA, separate from yours, to which
you contribute.
    Of course, if your spouse has compensation or earned income, your spouse can
establish  his or her own Roth IRA and make  contributions  to it in  accordance
with  the  rules  and  limits  described  in  this  Part  Two of the  Disclosure
Statement.

CONTRIBUTIONS

When can I make contributions to a Roth IRA?
    You may make a contribution to your Roth IRA or establish a new Roth IRA for
a taxable year by the due date (not including any  extensions)  for your federal
income tax return for the year.  Usually this is April 15 of the following year.
For  example,  you will  have  until  April  15,  1999 to  establish  and make a
contribution to a Roth IRA for 1998.
    Caution:  Since Roth IRAs are available starting January 1, 1998, you may 
not make a contribution by April 15, 1998 to a Roth IRA for 1997.

How much can I contribute to my Roth IRA?
    For each year when you are eligible  (see above),  you can  contribute up to
the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your  compensation (or earned income, if you are
self-employed).  For taxpayers with high income levels, the contribution  limits
may be reduced (see below).
    Your Roth IRA limit is reduced by any  contributions  for the same year to a
Regular IRA. For example,  assuming you have at least $2,000 in  compensation or
earned income, if you contribute $500 to your Regular IRA for 1998, your maximum
Roth IRA contribution for 1998 will be $1,500.
    If you and your spouse have spousal Roth IRAs, each spouse may contribute up
to $2,000 to his or her Roth IRA for a year as long as the combined compensation
of both  spouses  for the year (as shown on your joint  income tax return) is at
least $4,000. If the combined  compensation of both spouses is less than $4,000,
the spouse with the higher  amount of  compensation  may  contribute  up to that
spouse's  compensation  amount,  or $2,000 if less.  The  spouse  with the lower
compensation  amount may contribute any amount up to that spouse's  compensation
plus any excess of the other spouse's  compensation over the other spouse's Roth
IRA contribution.  However, the maximum contribution to either spouse's Roth IRA
is $2,000 for the year.
    The spousal  Roth IRA limits are reduced by any  contributions  for the same
calendar year to a Regular IRA maintained by you or your spouse.
    Annual  contributions  may be made  only to a Roth IRA  annual  contribution
account  which does not contain  converted or  transferred  funds from a Regular
IRA.

Are contributions to a Roth IRA tax deductible?
    Contributions  to a Roth IRA are not deductible.  This is a major difference
between  Roth IRAs and  Regular  IRAs.  Contributions  to a  Regular  IRA may be
deductible on your federal income tax return depending on whether or not you are
an active participant in an employer-sponsored plan and on your income level.

Are the earnings on my Roth IRA assets taxed?
    Any  dividends  on or  growth  of  investments  held  in your  Roth  IRA are
generally exempt from federal income taxes and will not be taxed until withdrawn
by you,  unless  the tax  exempt  status  of your  Roth IRA is  revoked.  If the
withdrawal  qualifies as a tax-free  withdrawal (see below),  amounts reflecting
earnings  or growth of assets in your Roth IRA will not be  subject  to  federal
income tax.

<PAGE>

Which is better, a Roth IRA or a Regular IRA?
    This will depend upon your individual situation. A Roth IRA may be better if
you are an active  participant in an  employer-sponsored  plan and your adjusted
gross income is too high to make a deductible IRA contribution (but not too high
to make a Roth IRA contribution). Also, the benefits of a Roth IRA vs. a Regular
IRA may depend upon a number of other factors including: your current income tax
bracket vs. your expected income tax bracket when you make withdrawals from your
IRA, whether you expect to be able to make nontaxable withdrawals from your Roth
IRA (see below), how long you expect to leave your contributions in the IRA, how
much you expect the IRA to earn in the  meantime,  and  possible  future tax law
changes.
    Consult  a  qualified  tax or  financial  advisor  for  assistance  on  this
question. 

Are there any restrictions on contributions to my Roth IRA?
    Taxpayers  with very high income  levels may not be able to  contribute to a
Roth IRA at all,  or their  contribution  may be limited to an amount  less than
$2,000.  This  depends upon your filing  status and the amount of your  adjusted
gross income (AGI).  The following table shows how the  contribution  limits are
restricted:

                          ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

If you are a                   If you are Married
Single Taxpayer with           Filing Jointly with             Then you may make
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)    Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
- ---------------------------    ---------------------------     -----------------

Up to $95,000                    Up to $150,000                Full Contribution

More than $95,000                More than $150,000         Reduced Contribution
but less than                    but less than               (see explanation
$110,000                         $160,000                      below)

$110,000 and up                  $160,000 and up           Zero(no Contribution)

Note: If you are a married  taxpayer  filing  separately,  your maximum Roth IRA
contribution  limit phases out over the first $15,000 of adjusted  gross income.
If your AGI is $15,000  or more,  you may not  contribute  to a Roth IRA for the
year.  Pending  legislation  in Congress  may reduce this number from $15,000 to
$10,000. Consult your tax advisor or the IRS for the latest developments.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explanation of "Reduced Contribution"
    If your AGI falls in the reduced contribution range, you must calculate your
contribution  limit. To do this, multiply your normal contribution limit ($2,000
or your  compensation,  if less) by a fraction.  The  numerator is the amount by
which  your AGI  exceeds  the  lower  limit of the  reduced  contribution  range
($95,000 if single,  or $150,000 if married filing jointly).  The denominator is
$15,000 (single  taxpayers) or $10,000 (married filing  jointly).  Subtract this
from your normal limit and then round down to the nearest $10.
The contribution limit is the greater of the amount calculated or $200.
    For example, assume that your AGI for the year is $157,555 and you are 
married, filing jointly.  You would calculate your Roth IRA contribution limit 
this way:

1. The  amount  by  which  your  AGI  exceeds  the  lower  limit of the  reduced
contribution deductible range:

               $157,555 - $150,000 = $7,555

2.        Divide this by $10,000:       $7,555
                                       --------
                                        $10,000   =  0.7555

3. Multiply this by $2,000 (or your compensation for the year, if less):

                    0.7555 x $2,000 = $1,511

4. Subtract this from your $2,000 limit:

                    $2,000 - $1,551 = $489

5.        Round this down to the nearest $10 = $480

6.        Your contribution limit is the greater of this amount or $200.

    Remember,  your Roth IRA  contribution  limit of $2,000  is  reduced  by any
contributions  for the same year to a Regular  IRA.  If you fall in the  reduced
contribution  range, the reduction  formula applies to the Roth IRA contribution
limit left after subtracting your contribution for the year to a Regular IRA.

How do I determine my AGI?
    AGI is your gross income minus those  deductions  which are available to all
taxpayers  even if they don't  itemize.  Instructions  to calculate your AGI are
provided with your income tax Form 1040 or 1040A.
    There are two additional rules when calculating AGI for purposes of Roth IRA
contribution limits. First, if you are making a deductible  contribution for the
year to a Regular  IRA,  your AGI is  reduced  by the  amount of the  deduction.
Second, if you are converting a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA in a year (see below),
the  amount  includable  in your  income  as a result of the  conversion  is not
considered  AGI when computing  your Roth IRA  contribution  limit for the year.
(Note:  a bill  pending in Congress  might affect the first rule -- consult your
tax advisor or the IRS for the latest developments.)

What happens if I contribute more than allowed to my Roth IRA?
    The maximum  contribution  you can make to a Roth IRA generally is $2,000 or
100% of compensation or earned income,  whichever is less. As noted above,  your
maximum is reduced by the amount of any  contribution  to a Regular  IRA for the
same  year  and  may be  further  reduced  if you  have  high  AGI.  Any  amount
contributed  to the  Roth  IRA  above  the  maximum  is  considered  an  "excess
contribution."  An excess  contribution  is subject to excise tax of 6% for each
year it remains in the Roth IRA.
<PAGE>


How can I correct an excess contribution?
    Excess contributions may be corrected without paying a 6% penalty. To do so,
you must  withdraw the excess and any earnings on the excess before the due date
(including  extensions)  for filing your federal  income tax return for the year
for which you made the excess  contribution.  The  earnings  must be included in
your  income  for the tax year for  which the  contribution  was made and may be
subject to a 10%  premature  withdrawal  tax if you have not  reached age 59 1/2
(unless an exception to the 10% penalty tax applies).

What happens if I don't  correct the excess  contribution  by the tax return due
date?
    Any excess  contribution not withdrawn by the tax return due date (including
any extensions) for the year for which the contribution was made will be subject
to the 6%  excise  tax.  There  will be an  additional  6%  excise  tax for each
subsequent year the excess remains in your account.
    For  subsequent  years,  you may  reduce the  excess  contributions  in your
account  by  making a  withdrawal  equal  to the  excess.  Earnings  need not be
withdrawn. To the extent that no earnings are withdrawn, the withdrawal will not
be subject to income  taxes or  possible  penalties  for  premature  withdrawals
before age 59 1/2.  Excess  contributions  may also be corrected in a subsequent
year to the  extent  that you  contribute  less than your Roth IRA  contribution
limit for the subsequent  year. As the prior excess  contribution  is reduced or
eliminated,  the 6% excise tax will become correspondingly reduced or eliminated
for subsequent tax years.

CONVERSION OF EXISTING REGULAR IRA

Can I convert an existing Regular IRA into a Roth IRA?
    Yes,  starting in 1998 you can  convert an existing  Regular IRA into a Roth
IRA if you  meet  the  adjusted  gross  income  (AGI)  limits  described  below.
Conversion  may be  accomplished  either  by  establishing  a Roth  IRA and then
transferring  the amount in your Regular IRA you wish to convert to the new Roth
IRA. Or, if you want to convert an existing Regular IRA with Investors Fiduciary
Trust Company as custodian to a Roth IRA, you may give us directions to convert.
    You are  eligible to convert a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA if, for the year of
the conversion,  your AGI is $100,000 or less. The same limit applies to married
and single taxpayers, and the limit is not indexed to cost-of-living  increases.
Married  taxpayers  are  eligible to convert a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA only if
they file a joint income tax return; married taxpayers filing separately are not
eligible to  convert.  Note:  No  contributions  other than Roth IRA  conversion
contributions  made during the same tax year may be  deposited  in a single Roth
IRA conversion account.
    Caution: You should be extremely cautious in converting an existing IRA into
a Roth IRA  early in a year if there is any  possibility  that  your AGI for the
year will exceed $100,000.  Although a bill pending in Congress would permit you
to transfer amounts back to your Regular IRA if your AGI exceeds $100,000, under
the current rules, if you have already  converted during a year and you turn out
to have more than  $100,000  of AGI,  there may be adverse  tax results for you.
Consult  your tax advisor or the IRS for the latest  developments. 

What are the tax results from converting?
    The  taxable  amount in your  Regular  IRA you convert to a Roth IRA will be
considered  taxable income on your federal income tax return for the year of the
conversion.  All  amounts  in a Regular  IRA are  taxable  except for your prior
non-deductible contributions to the Regular IRA.
    If you make the  conversion  during 1998,  the taxable income is spread over
four years. In other words,  you would include one quarter of the taxable amount
on your federal income tax return for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Should I convert my Regular IRA to a Roth IRA?
    Only  you can  answer  this  question,  in  consultation  with  your  tax or
financial  advisors.  A number  of  factors,  including  the  following,  may be
relevant.  Conversion may be  advantageous  if you expect to leave the converted
funds on  deposit  in your  Roth IRA for at least  five  years and to be able to
withdraw the funds under circumstances that will not be taxable (see below). The
benefits of converting  will also depend on whether you expect to be in the same
tax  bracket  when  you  withdraw  from  your  Roth  IRA as you are  now.  Also,
conversion  is based upon an  assumption  that  Congress will not change the tax
rules  for  withdrawals  from  Roth  IRAs in the  future,  but  this  cannot  be
guaranteed.

TRANSFERS/ROLLOVERS

Can I  transfer  or roll  over a  distribution  I  receive  from  my  employer's
    retirement   plan   into   a  Roth   IRA?   
     Distributions   from   qualified employer-sponsored retirement plans or 
403(b) arrangements (for employees of tax-exempt
employers)  are not  eligible  for  rollover  or direct  transfer to a Roth IRA.
However,  in certain  circumstances it may be possible to make a direct rollover
of an eligible distribution to a Regular IRA and then to convert the Regular IRA
to a Roth IRA (see above).  Consult  your tax or  financial  advisor for further
information on this possibility.

Can I make a rollover from my Roth IRA to another Roth IRA?
    You may make a rollover  from one Roth IRA to  another  Roth IRA you have or
you establish to receive the rollover.  Such a rollover must be completed within
60 days after the  withdrawal  from your first Roth IRA. After making a rollover
from one Roth IRA to  another,  you must wait a full year (365 days)  before you
can make another such rollover.  (However, you can instruct a Roth IRA custodian
to  transfer  amounts  directly  to another  Roth IRA  custodian;  such a direct
transfer does not count as a rollover.)

How do rollovers affect my Roth IRA contribution limits?
    Rollover  contributions,  if properly  made, do not count toward the maximum
contribution.  Also,  you may make a rollover  from one Roth IRA to another even
during  a year  when  you are not  eligible  to  contribute  to a Roth  IRA (for
example, because your AGI for that year is too high).

WITHDRAWALS

When can I make withdrawals from my Roth IRA?
    You may withdraw from your Roth IRA at any time. If the withdrawal meets the
requirements discussed below, it is tax-free. This means that you pay no federal
income  tax  even  though  the  withdrawal  includes  earnings  or gains on your
contributions  while they were held in your Roth IRA. 
<PAGE>


When must I start  making withdrawals?
    There are no rules on when you must start making  withdrawals from your Roth
IRA or on minimum  required  withdrawal  amounts for any particular  year during
your  lifetime.  Unlike  Regular  IRAs,  you are not  required  to start  making
withdrawals from a Roth IRA by the April 1 following the year in which you reach
age 70 1/2.
    After  your  death,  there  are  IRS  rules  on the  timing  and  amount  of
distributions.  In general,  the amount in your Roth IRA must be  distributed by
the  end of the  fifth  year  after  your  death.  However,  distributions  to a
designated  beneficiary  that begin by the end of the year following the year of
your death and that are paid over the life expectancy of the beneficiary satisfy
the rules.  Also, if your surviving spouse is your designated  beneficiary,  the
spouse may defer the start of distributions  until you would have reached age 70
1/2 had you lived.

What are the requirements for a tax-free withdrawal?
    To be tax-free,  a withdrawal from your Roth IRA must meet two requirements.
First,  the  Roth  IRA must  have  been  open  for 5 or more  years  before  the
withdrawal. Second, at least one of the following conditions must be satisfied:

o   You are age 59 1/2 or older when you make the withdrawal.
o   The withdrawal is made by your beneficiary after you die.
o   You are disabled (as defined in IRS rules) when you make the withdrawal.
o You are using the withdrawal to cover eligible first time homebuyer  expenses.
These are the costs of purchasing,  building or rebuilding a principal residence
(including customary settlement,  financing or closing costs). The purchaser may
be you, your spouse or a  child,  grandchild,  parent  or  grandparent  of you 
or  your  spouse.  An individual  is considered a "first-time  homebuyer"  if
the  individual  (or the
individual's  spouse,  if  married)  did not  have an  ownership  interest  in a
principal  residence  during  the  two-year  period  immediately  preceding  the
acquisition  in question.  The  withdrawal  must be used for  eligible  expenses
within  120 days  after the  withdrawal  (if there is an  unexpected  delay,  or
cancellation  of the home  acquisition,  a withdrawal  may be  redeposited  as a
rollover).

    There is a lifetime  limit on  eligible  first-time  homebuyer  expenses  of
$10,000 per individual.
    For a Roth IRA that you set up with amounts  rolled over or converted from a
Regular IRA, the 5 year period  begins with the year in which the  conversion or
rollover was made.  (Note:  a bill pending in Congress might affect this rule --
consult your tax advisor or the IRS for the latest developments.) For a Roth IRA
that you started with a normal  contribution,  the 5 year period starts with the
year for which you make the initial normal contribution.

How Are withdrawals from my Roth IRA taxed if the tax-free  requirements are not
met?
    If  the  qualified  withdrawal   requirements  are  not  met,  a  withdrawal
consisting of your own prior  contribution  amounts to your Roth IRA will not be
considered  taxable  income in the year you receive it, nor will the 10% penalty
apply. To the extent that the nonqualified  withdrawal  consists of dividends or
gains while your  contributions  were held in your Roth IRA, the  withdrawal  is
includable  in your gross  income in the taxable year you receive it, and may be
subject to the 10% withdrawal penalty.  All amounts withdrawn from your Roth IRA
are considered  withdrawals of your  contributions  until you have withdrawn the
entire  amount you have  contributed.  After  that,  all amounts  withdrawn  are
considered taxable withdrawals of dividends and gains.
    Note that, for purposes of determining  what portion of any  distribution is
includable in income, all of your Roth IRA accounts are considered as one single
account.  Amounts  withdrawn  from any one Roth IRA  account  are  deemed  to be
withdrawn from  contributions  first. Since all your Roth IRAs are considered to
be one account for this  purpose,  withdrawals  from Roth IRA  accounts  are not
considered  to be from  earnings  or  interest  until  an  amount  equal  to all
contributions made to all of an individual's Roth IRA accounts is withdrawn. The
following example illustrates this:
    A single individual contributes $1,000 a year to his Investor Service Center
Roth IRA account  and $1,000 a year to a  non-Investor  Service  Center Roth IRA
account over a period of ten years. At the end of 10 years, his account balances
are as follows:

                                  Principal
                                  Contributions               Earnings
                                  -------------               --------
Investor Service
Center Roth IRA                     $10,000                    $10,000

Non-Investor Service
Center Roth IRA                     $10,000                    $10,000

    Total                           $20,000                    $20,000
                                    =======                    =======


    At the end of 10 years,  this person has $40,000 in both Roth IRA  accounts,
of  which  $20,000   represents  his  contributions   (aggregated)  and  $20,000
represents his earnings  (aggregated).  This  individual,  who is 40,  withdraws
$15,000  from  his  non-Investor  Service  Center  Roth  IRA  (not  a  qualified
withdrawal).  We look to the aggregate amount of all principal  contributions in
this case $20,000 - to determine if the  withdrawal is from  contributions,  and
thus non-taxable.  In this example,  there is no ($0) taxable income as a result
of this withdrawal  because the $15,000 withdrawal is less than the total amount
of aggregated  contributions ($20,000). If this individual then withdrew $15,000
from his  Investor  Service  Center Roth IRA,  $5,000  would not be taxable (the
remaining  aggregate  contributions)  and  $10,000  would be  treated as taxable
income for the year of the  withdrawal,  subject to regular income taxes and the
10% premature withdrawal penalty (unless an exception applies).



<PAGE>

    Note:  If passed, a bill currently pending in Congress will change the rules
and the results discussed above.  Under the proposed legislation, in general, 
separate Roth IRAs established for annual contributions and conversions for 
separate years are not aggregated as explained above to determine the tax on 
withdrawals.  See your tax advisor for more information and the latest 
developments.
    Taxable withdrawals of dividends and gains from a Roth IRA are treated as 
ordinary income.  Withdrawals of taxable amounts from
a Roth IRA are not  eligible  for  averaging  treatment  currently  available to
certain lump sum  distributions  from  qualified  employer-sponsored  retirement
plans, nor are such withdrawals eligible for taxable gains tax treatment.
    Your receipt of any taxable  withdrawal from your Roth IRA before you attain
age 59 1/2 generally will be considered as an early  withdrawal and subject to a
10% penalty tax.
    The 10%  penalty  tax for  early  withdrawal  will  not  apply if any of the
following exceptions applies:

o   The withdrawal was a result of your death or disability.
o   The withdrawal is one of a scheduled series of substantially equal periodic
payments  for  your  life  or  life  expectancy  (or  the  joint  lives  or life
expectancies of you and your beneficiary).

     If there is an  adjustment  to the  scheduled  series of payments,  the 10%
penalty tax will apply. For example,  if you begin receiving  payments at age 50
under a withdrawal program providing for substantially  equal payments over your
life  expectancy,  and at age 58 you elect to withdraw the  remaining  amount in
your Roth IRA in a lump-sum,  the 10% penalty tax will apply to the lump sum and
to the amounts  previously paid to you before age 59 1/2 to the extent they were
includable in your taxable income.

o   The withdrawal is used to pay eligible higher education  expenses. These are
expenses  for  tuition,   fees,  books,  and  supplies  required  to  attend  an
institution  for  post-secondary  education.  Room and board  expenses  are also
eligible  for a student  attending at least  half-time.  The student may be you,
your spouse,  or your child or grandchild.  However,  expenses that are paid for
with a  scholarship  or other  educational  assistance  payment are not eligible
expenses.

o   The withdrawal is used to cover  eligible first time homebuyer expenses (as
described above in the discussion of tax-free withdrawals).

o The withdrawal does not exceed the amount of your deductible  medical expenses
for the  year  (generally  speaking,  medical  expenses  paid  during a year are
deductible  if they are greater  than 7 1/2% of your  adjusted  gross income for
that year).

o The  withdrawal  does not exceed  the  amount  you paid for  health  insurance
coverage for yourself,  your spouse and dependents.  This exception applies only
if  you  have  been  unemployed  and  received  federal  or  state  unemployment
compensation  payments  for  at  least  12  weeks;  this  exception  applies  to
distributions   during  the  year  in  which  you  received   the   unemployment
compensation  and  during  the  following  year,  but  not to any  distributions
received after you have been reemployed for at least 60 days.

What about the 15 percent penalty tax?
    The  rule  imposing  a 15%  penalty  tax  on  very  large  withdrawals  from
tax-favored  arrangements  (including  IRAs,  403(b)  arrangements and qualified
employer-sponsored  plans),  or on excess amounts  remaining in such tax-favored
arrangements at your death, has been repealed. This 15% tax no longer applies.

Important:  The  discussion  of the tax rules  for Roth IRAs in this  Disclosure
Statement is based upon the best available  information.  However, Roth IRAs are
new under the tax laws, and the IRS has not issued regulations or rulings on the
operation and tax treatment of Roth IRA accounts. Also, if enacted,  legislation
now pending in Congress  will  change some of the rules.  Therefore,  you should
consult  your tax advisor for the latest  developments  or for advice  about how
maintaining  a Roth IRA will affect your  personal tax or  financial  situation.
Also,  please  see  Part  Three  below  which  contains  important   information
applicable to all Investor Service Center IRAs.


               Part Three: Rules for All IRAs (Regular and Roth)

GENERAL INFORMATION

What are the basic IRA requirements?
    All IRAs must meet certain  requirements.  Contributions  generally  must be
made in cash (which may be paid by check.) The IRA trustee or custodian  must be
a bank or other person who has been  approved by the  Secretary of the Treasury.
Your  contributions  may not be invested in life  insurance or collectible or be
commingled with other property except in a common trust or investment fund. Your
interest  in the account  must be  nonforfeitable  at all times.  You may obtain
further  information  on IRAs from any district  office of the Internal  Revenue
Service.

May I revoke my IRA?
    You may revoke a newly  established  Regular or Roth IRA at any time  within
seven days after the date on which you  receive  this  Disclosure  Statement.  A
Regular  or Roth IRA  established  more than  seven  days after the date of your
receipt of this Disclosure Statement may not be revoked.
    To revoke  your  Regular or Roth IRA,  mail or  deliver a written  notice of
revocation  to the  Custodian  at the address  which  appears at the end of this
Disclosure Statement.  Mailed notice will be deemed given on the date that it is
postmarked  (or,  if  sent by  certified  or  registered  mail,  on the  date of
certification  or  registration).  If you revoke your Regular or Roth IRA within
the  seven-day  period,  you are  entitled to a return of the entire  amount you
originally  contributed  into your Regular or Roth IRA,  without  adjustment for
such items as sales charges,  administrative  expenses or fluctuations in market
value.

INVESTMENTS

How are my IRA contributions invested?
    You control the investment and reinvestment of contributions to your Regular
or Roth IRA.  Investments  must be in one or more of the Fund(s)  available from
time to time as listed in the IRA Application for your Regular or Roth IRA or in
an investment selection form provided with your IRA Application or from Investor
Service Center.  You direct the investment of your IRA by giving your investment
instructions  to Investor  Service  Center.  Since you control the investment of
your  Regular or Roth IRA,  you are  responsible  for any  losses;  neither  the
Custodian nor Investor  Service  Center has any  responsibility  for any loss or
diminution  in  value  occasioned  by  your  exercise  of  investment   control.
Transactions  for your Regular or Roth IRA will  generally be at the  applicable
public offering price or net asset value for shares of the Fund(s) involved next
established   after  Investor   Service  Center   receives   proper   investment
instructions  from you; consult the current  prospectus for the Fund(s) involved
for additional information.
    Before making any investment,  read carefully the current prospectus for any
Fund you are  considering as an investment for your Regular IRA or Roth IRA. The
prospectus will contain  information about the Fund's investment  objectives and
policies,  as  well  as  any  minimum  initial  investment  or  minimum  balance
requirements and any sales, redemption or other charges.
    Because you control the  selection of  investments  for your Regular or Roth
IRA and because  mutual fund shares  fluctuate in value,  the growth in value of
your Regular or Roth IRA cannot be guaranteed or projected.
<PAGE>


Are there any restrictions on the use of my IRA assets?
    The  tax-exempt  status of your  Regular  or Roth IRA will be revoked if you
engage in any of the prohibited  transactions  listed in Section 4975 of the tax
code. Upon such revocation,  your Regular or Roth IRA is treated as distributing
its assets to you. The taxable portion of the amount in your IRA will be subject
to  income  tax  (unless,  in the case of a Roth  IRA,  the  requirements  for a
tax-free  withdrawal are  satisfied).  Also, you may be subject to a 10% penalty
tax on the taxable amount as a premature  withdrawal if you have not yet reached
the age of 59 1/2.
    Any investment in a collectible  (for example,  rare stamps) by your Regular
or Roth IRA is treated as a  withdrawal;  the only  exception  involves  certain
types of government-sponsored coins or certain types of precious metal bullion.

What is a prohibited transaction?
    Generally,  a  prohibited  transaction  is any improper use of the assets in
your Regular or Roth IRA. Some examples of prohibited transactions are:

o Direct or indirect  sale or exchange of property  between you and your Regular
or Roth IRA.
o Transfer  of any  property  from your  Regular or Roth IRA to yourself or from
yourself to your Regular or Roth IRA.

    Your Regular or Roth IRA could lose its tax exempt  status if you use all or
part of your  interest  in your  Regular or Roth IRA as  security  for a loan or
borrow any money from your  Regular or Roth IRA.  Any portion of your Regular or
Roth IRA used as security  for a loan will be treated as a  distribution  in the
year in which the money is borrowed. This amount may be taxable and you may also
be subject to the 10% premature withdrawal penalty on the taxable amount.

FEES AND EXPENSES

    The annual  fiduciary fee charged by the Custodian for maintaining  either a
Regular IRA or a Roth IRA is listed in the IRA Application.  Fees may be paid by
you  directly,  or the  Custodian may deduct them from your Regular or Roth IRA.
Fees  may be  changed  upon 30 days  written  notice  to you.  The  full  annual
fiduciary  fee will be charged for any  calendar  year  during  which you have a
Regular or Roth IRA with Investor  Service Center.  This fee is not prorated for
periods of less than one full year. If provided for in this Disclosure Statement
or the IRA Application, termination fees are charged when your account is closed
whether  the  assets  are  distributed  to you  or  transferred  to a  successor
custodian or trustee. The Custodian may charge you for its reasonable expenses
for services not covered by its fee schedule.There may be sales or other charges
associated  with the  purchase or  redemption  of shares of a Fund in which your
Regular IRA or Roth IRA is invested. Before investing, be sure to read carefully
the current prospectus of any Fund you are considering as an investment for your
Regular IRA or Roth IRA for a description of applicable charges.

TAX MATTERS

What IRA reports does the Custodian issue?
    The Custodian  will report all  withdrawals  to the IRS and the recipient on
the appropriate form. For reporting  purposes,  a direct transfer of assets to a
successor custodian or trustee is not considered a withdrawal.
    The Custodian  will report to the IRS the year-end value of your account and
the amount of any  rollover  (including  conversions  of a Regular IRA to a Roth
IRA) or regular  contribution  made during a calendar  year,  as well as the tax
year for  which a  contribution  is  made.  Unless  the  Custodian  receives  an
indication from you to the contrary,  it will treat any amount as a contribution
for  the  tax  year  in  which  it is  received.  It is  most  important  that a
contribution  between  January  and  April  15th for the prior  year be  clearly
designated as such.

What tax information must I report to the IRS?
    You must file Form  5329  with the IRS for each  taxable  year for which you
made an excess  contribution or you take a premature  withdrawal that is subject
to the 10% penalty tax, or you withdraw  less than the minimum  amount  required
from your  Regular  IRA.  If your  beneficiary  fails to make  required  minimum
withdrawals from your Regular or Roth IRA after your death, your beneficiary may
be subject to an excise tax and be required to file Form 5329.
    For Regular IRAs, you must also report each  nondeductible  contribution  to
the IRS by designating it a nondeductible  contribution on your tax return.  Use
Form  8606.  In  addition,  for  any  year in  which  you  make a  nondeductible
contribution or take a withdrawal,  you must include  additional  information on
your tax  return.  The  information  required  includes:  (1) the amount of your
nondeductible  contributions  for that year; (2) the amount of withdrawals  from
Regular  IRAs in that year;  (3) the  amount by which  your total  nondeductible
contributions  for all the years exceed the total  amount of your  distributions
previously  excluded  from  gross  income;  and (4) the total  value of all your
Regular  IRAs as of the end of the  year.  If you  fail  to  report  any of this
information,  the IRS will assume that all your  contributions  were deductible.
This will result in the taxation of the portion of your  withdrawals that should
be treated as a nontaxable return of your nondeductible contributions.

Which withdrawals are subject to withholding?

Roth IRA
    Federal  income tax will be  withheld  at a flat rate of 10% of any  taxable
withdrawal  from  your  Roth IRA,  unless  you  elect not to have tax  withheld.
Withdrawals  from a Roth IRA are not  subject  to the  mandatory  20% income tax
withholding  that applies to most  distributions  from qualified plans or 403(b)
accounts that are not directly rolled over to another plan or IRA.

Regular IRA
    Federal  income  tax  will  be  withheld  at a flat  rate  of 10%  from  any
withdrawal  from your  Regular IRA,  unless you elect not to have tax  withheld.
Withdrawals  from a Regular IRA are not subject to the  mandatory 20% income tax
withholding  that applies to most  distributions  from qualified plans or 403(b)
accounts that are not directly rolled over to another plan or IRA.

<PAGE>


ACCOUNT TERMINATION

    You may  terminate  your  Regular  IRA or Roth  IRA at any  time  after  its
establishment  by  sending a  completed  withdrawal  form (or  other  withdrawal
instructions in a form acceptable to the Custodian), or a transfer authorization
form, to: Investor Service Center, P.O.
Box 418789, Kansas City, MO 64141-6789.

    Your Regular IRA or Roth IRA with  Investor  Service  Center will  terminate
upon the first to occur of the following:

o The date your properly executed  withdrawal form or instructions (as described
above)  withdrawing  your total  Regular IRA or Roth IRA balance is received and
accepted by the Custodian or, if later,  the  termination  date specified in the
withdrawal form.

o The date the  Regular  IRA or Roth IRA ceases to  qualify  under the tax code.
This will be deemed a termination.

o     The transfer of the Regular IRA or Roth IRA to another custodian/trustee.

o The  rollover  of the  amounts  in the  Regular  IRA or  Roth  IRA to  another
custodian/trustee.

    Any  outstanding  fees must be received  prior to such a termination of your
account.
    The amount you receive from your IRA upon termination of the account will be
treated as a withdrawal,  and thus the rules relating to Regular IRA or Roth IRA
withdrawals will apply. For example,  if the IRA is terminated  before you reach
age 59 1/2, the 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply to the taxable amount you
receive.

IRA DOCUMENTS

Regular IRA
    The terms contained in Articles I to VII of Part One of the Investor Service
Center Individual Retirement Custodial Account document have been promulgated by
the IRS in Form 5305-A for use in  establishing a Regular IRA Custodial  Account
that meets the requirements of Code Section 408(a) for a valid Regular IRA. This
IRS  approval  relates  only  to the  form  of  Articles  I to VII and is not an
approval of the merits of the Regular IRA or of any investment  permitted by the
Regular IRA.

Roth IRA
    The terms contained in Articles I to VII of Part Two of the Investor Service
Center Individual  Retirement Account Custodial  Agreement have been promulgated
by the IRS in Form 5305-RA for use in establishing a Roth IRA Custodial  Account
that meets the  requirements of Code Section 408A for a valid Roth IRA. This IRS
approval relates only to the form of Articles I to VII and is not an approval of
the merits of the Roth IRA or of any investment permitted by the Roth IRA.
    Based on legal  advice  relating to current tax laws and IRS  meetings,  the
Custodian believes that the use of a Individual  Retirement Account  Information
Kit such as this, containing information and documents for both a Regular IRA or
a Roth IRA, will be acceptable to the IRS.  However,  if the IRS makes a ruling,
or if Congress enacts legislation, regarding the use of different documentation,
to the  extent  it  become  aware of such  documentation  and can be  reasonably
prepare such documentation,  Investor Service Center will seek to forward to you
new documentation for your Regular IRA or a Roth IRA (as appropriate) for you to
read and, if necessary,  an appropriate  new IRA  Application to sign,  although
there can be no assurance of this. By adopting a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA using
these materials, you acknowledge this possibility and agree to this procedure if
necessary.  In all cases, to the extent permitted,  Investor Service Center will
treat your IRA as being opened on the date your account was opened using the IRA
Application in this Kit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    For additional information,  please call 1-800-345-0051 or write to Investor
Service Center, Inc., P.O. Box 419789, Kansas City, MO 64141-6789.


<PAGE>



                              Custodial Agreement

                Part One: Provisions Applicable to Regular IRAs

The following provisions of Articles I to VII are in the form promulgated by the
Internal  Revenue  Service in Form 5305-A for use in  establishing an individual
retirement custodial account.

Article I.
     The Custodian may accept  additional  cash  contributions  on behalf of the
Depositor  for a tax year of the  Depositor.  The total cash  contributions  are
limited  to  $2,000  for the tax year  unless  the  contribution  is a  rollover
contribution described in section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or an
employer  contribution  to a  simplified  employee  pension plan as described in
section 408(k).

Article II.
     The  Depositor's  interest  in the  balance  in the  custodial  account  is
nonforfeitable.

Article III.
     1.  No  part of the  custodial  funds  may be  invested  in life  insurance
contracts,  nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled with other
property  except in a common  trust fund or common  investment  fund (within the
meaning of section 408(a)(5)).
     2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in  collectibles  (within
the  meaning  of  section  408(m))  except as  otherwise  permitted  by  section
408(m)(3)  which  provides an exception for certain gold,  silver,  and platinum
coins, coins issued under the laws of any state, and certain bullion.

Article IV.
     1.  Notwithstanding  any provisions of this agreement to the contrary,  the
distribution of the Depositor's  interest in the custodial account shall be made
in accordance with the following  requirements  and shall otherwise  comply with
section  408(a)(6)  and Proposed  Regulations  section  1.408-8,  including  the
incidental   death   benefit   provisions   of  Proposed   Regulations   section
1.401(a)(9)-2, the provisions of which are incorporated by reference.
     2. Unless otherwise elected by the time distributions are required to begin
to the Depositor under  paragraph 3, or to the surviving  spouse under paragraph
4,  other  than in the  case  of a life  annuity,  life  expectancies  shall  be
recalculated  annually.  Such election  shall be irrevocable as to the Depositor
and the  surviving  spouse and shall  apply to all  subsequent  years.  The life
expectancy of a nonspouse beneficiary may not be recalculated.
     3. The  Depositor's  entire  interest in the custodial  account must be, or
begin to be, distributed by the Depositor's required beginning date, the April 1
following the calendar  year end in which the  Depositor  reaches age 70 1/2. By
that date, the Depositor may elect, in a manner acceptable to the Custodian,  to
have the balance in the custodial account distributed in:
     (a)       A  single-sum payment.
     (b)       An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal  
          monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the life of the Depositor.
     (c) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal monthly,
quarterly,  or annual  payments  over the joint and last  survivor  lives of the
Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
     (d) Equal or  substantially  equal annual payments over a specified  period
that may not be longer than the Depositor's life expectancy.
     (e) Equal or  substantially  equal annual payments over a specified  period
that may not be longer than the joint life and last  survivor  expectancy of the
Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
         4.  If  the  Depositor  dies  before  his  or her  entire  interest  is
distributed to him or her, the entire remaining  interest will be distributed as
follows:
     (a) If the Depositor dies on or after  distribution  of his or her interest
has begun, distribution must continue to be made in accordance with paragraph 3.
     (b) If the Depositor  dies before  distribution  of his or her interest has
begun, the entire remaining  interest will, at the election of the Depositor or,
if the  Depositor  has not so elected,  at the  election of the  beneficiary  or
beneficiaries, either
     (i) Be  distributed  by the  December 31 of the year  containing  the fifth
     anniversary of the  Depositor's  death,  or (ii)Be  distributed in equal or
     substantially  equal  payments  over  the  life or life  expectancy  of the
     designated beneficiary or
beneficiaries  starting  by December  31 of the year  following  the year of the
Depositor's  death.  If, however,  the beneficiary is the Depositor's  surviving
spouse,  then this  distribution  is not required to begin before December 31 of
the year in which the Depositor would have turned age 70 1/2.
     (c)  Except  where  distribution  in the  form of an  annuity  meeting  the
requirements  of section  408(b)(3) and its related  regulations has irrevocably
commenced, distributions are treated as having begun on the Depositor's required
beginning  date,  even though  payments may actually  have been made before that
date.
     (d) If the  Depositor  dies  before  his or her  entire  interest  has been
distributed  and if the  beneficiary  is other  than the  surviving  spouse,  no
additional cash  contributions or rollover  contributions may be accepted in the
account.
     5.  In  the  case  of  distribution   over  life  expectancy  in  equal  or
substantially equal annual payments, to determine the minimum annual payment for
each year, divide the Depositor's entire interest in the custodial account as of
the  close  of  business  on  December  31 of the  preceding  year  by the  life
expectancy of the  Depositor (or the joint life and last survivor  expectancy of
the Depositor and the Depositor's designated beneficiary, or the life expectancy
of the designated beneficiary,  whichever applies.) In the case of distributions
under paragraph 3, determine the initial life expectancy (or joint life and last
survivor  expectancy)  using the attained ages of the  Depositor and  designated
beneficiary as of their birthdays in the year the Depositor  reaches age 70 1/2.
In the case of a distribution in accordance with paragraph  4(b)(ii),  determine
life expectancy  using the attained age of the designated  beneficiary as of the
beneficiary's birthday in the year distributions are required to commence.



<PAGE>

     6. The  owner of two or more  individual  retirement  accounts  may use the
"alternative  method" described in Notice 88-38, 1988-1 C.B. 524, to satisfy the
minimum  distribution  requirements  described  above.  This  method  permits an
individual  to  satisfy  these   requirements  by  taking  from  one  individual
retirement account the amount required to satisfy the requirement for another.

Article V.
     1. The Depositor agrees to provide the Custodian with information necessary
for the  Custodian  to prepare any reports  required  under  section  408(i) and
Regulations sections 1.408-5 and 1.408-6.
     2. The Custodian  agrees to submit reports to the Internal  Revenue Service
and the Depositor as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.

Article VI.
     Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated,  the
provisions of Articles I through III and this sentence will be controlling.  Any
additional  articles that are not consistent with section 408(a) and the related
regulations will be invalid.

Article VII.
     This  agreement  will be  amended  from  time to time to  comply  with  the
provisions of the Code and related  regulations.  Other  amendments  may be made
with the consent of the persons whose signatures appear on the IRA Application.

                 PART TWO: PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ROTH IRA'S

    The following provisions of Articles I to VII are in the form promulgated by
the  Internal  Revenue  Service in Form 5305-RA for use in  establishing  a Roth
Individual Retirement Custodial Account.

Article I
    1. If this Roth IRA is not designated as a Roth Conversion IRA, then, except
in the  case of a  rollover  contribution  described  in  section  408A(e),  the
Custodian will accept only cash contributions and only up to a maximum amount of
$2,000 for any tax year of the Depositor.
    2. If this Roth IRA is designated as a Roth Conversion IRA, no contributions
other than IRA  Conversion  Contributions  made during the same tax year will be
accepted.

Article IA
    The $2,000 limit  described in Article I is gradually  reduced to $0 between
certain  levels of adjusted  gross income  (AGI).  For a single  Depositor,  the
$2,000  annual  contribution  is phased out between AGI of $95,000 and $110,000;
for a married Depositor who files jointly, between AGI of $150,000 and $160,000;
and for a married  Depositor who files  separately,  between $0 and $10,000.  In
case of a conversion, the Custodian will not accept IRA Conversion Contributions
in a tax year if the  Depositor's  AGI for that tax year exceeds  $100,000 or if
the Depositor is married and files a separate  return.  Adjusted gross income is
defined in section 408A(c)(3) and does not include IRA Conversion Contributions.

Article II
    The  Depositor's  interest  in the  balance  in  the  custodial  account  is
nonforfeitable.

Article III
    1.  No  part of the  custodial  funds  may be  invested  in  life  insurance
contracts,  nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled with other
property  except in a common  trust fund or common  investment  fund (within the
meaning of section 408(a)(5)).
    2. No part of the custodial  funds may be invested in  collectibles  (within
the  meaning  of  section  408(m))  except as  otherwise  permitted  by  section
408(m)(3),  which provides an exception for certain gold,  silver,  and platinum
coins, coins issued under the laws of any state, and certain bullion.

Article IV
    1. If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed to
him or her and the Depositor's surviving spouse is not the sole beneficiary, the
entire  remaining  interest  will,  at the election of the  Depositor or, if the
Depositor  has  not  so  elected,   at  the  election  of  the   beneficiary  or
beneficiaries, either:

        (a) Be  distributed  by  December  31 of the year  containing  the fifth
    anniversary of the Depositor's  death,  or (b) Be distributed  over the life
    expectancy of the designated  beneficiary starting no later than December 31
    of the year following
the year of the Depositor's death.
    If  distributions  do not begin by the date  described in (b),  distribution
method (a) will apply.
    2. In the case of  distribution  method 1(b) above, to determine the minimum
annual  payment for each year,  divide the  Depositor's  entire  interest in the
custodial  account as of the close of business  on December 31 of the  preceding
year by the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary using the attained age
of the designated beneficiary as of the beneficiary's birthday in the year
distributions are required to commence and subtract 1 for each subsequent year.
    3. If the Depositor's spouse is the sole beneficiary on the Depositor's date
of death, such spouse will then be treated as the Depositor.




<PAGE>

Article V
    1. The Depositor agrees to provide the Custodian with information  necessary
for the  Custodian to prepare any reports  required  under  sections  408(i) and
408A(d)(3)(E),  and Regulations section 1.408-5 and 1.408-6,  and under guidance
published by the Internal Revenue Service.
    2. The Custodian  agrees to submit reports to the Internal  Revenue  Service
and the Depositor as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.

Article VI
    Notwithstanding  any other articles which may be added or incorporated,  the
provisions of Articles I through IV and this sentence will be  controlling.  Any
additional  articles  that are not  consistent  with section  408A,  the related
regulations, and other published guidance will be invalid.

Article VII
    This  agreement  will be  amended  from  time to time  to  comply  with  the
provisions of the Code, related regulations, and other published guidance. Other
amendments may be made with the consent of the persons whose  signatures  appear
below.



      Part Three: Provisions Applicable to Both Regular IRAs and Roth IRAs

Article VIII.
     1. As used in this  Article  VIII the  following  terms have the  following
meanings:
     "Account" or "Custodial  Account" means the individual  retirement  account
established using the terms of either Part One or Part Two and, in either event,
Part  Three  of this  Investor  Service  Center  Individual  Retirement  Account
Custodial Agreement and the IRA Application signed by the Depositor. The Account
may be a Regular Individual  Retirement Account or a Roth Individual  Retirement
Account, as specified by the Depositor. See Section 24 below.
     "Custodian" means Investors Fiduciary Trust Company.
     "Fund" means any registered investment company which is advised,  sponsored
or  distributed  by  Sponsor;  provided,  however,  that  such a mutual  fund or
registered  investment  company must be legally offered for sale in the state of
the Depositor's residence.
     "Distributor"  means the entity  which has a contract  with the  Fund(s) to
serve as distributor  of the shares of such Fund(s).  In any case where there is
no  Distributor,  the  duties  assigned  hereunder  to  the  Distributor  may be
performed  by the  Fund(s)  or by an  entity  that  has a  contract  to  perform
management or investment advisory services for the Fund(s).
     "IRA  Provider"  means the Custodian,  Fund,  Distributor,  Sonsor,  and/or
Service Company,  as the content requires,  which shall be interpreted for their
protection and benefit.
     "Service  Company"  means  any  entity  employed  by the  Custodian  or the
Distributor,  including the transfer agent for the Fund(s),  to perform  various
administrative duties of either the Custodian or the Distributor.
     In any  case  where  there  is no  Service  Company,  the  duties  assigned
hereunder to the Service  Company will be performed by the  Distributor (if any)
or by an entity specified in the second preceding paragraph.
     "Sponsor" means Investor Service Center, Inc. or other fund entity that is 
making Fund(s) available under this Agreement and has the power to appoint a 
successor Custodian.
     2. The Depositor may revoke the Custodial Account established  hereunder by
mailing or delivering a written  notice of  revocation  to the Custodian  within
seven days after the Depositor receives the Disclosure  Statement related to the
Custodial Account. Mailed notice is treated as given to the Custodian on date of
the postmark (or on the date of Post Office certification or registration in the
case of notice sent by certified or registered  mail).  Upon timely  revocation,
the Depositor's  initial  contribution will be returned,  without adjustment for
administrative  expenses,  commissions or sales charges,  fluctuations in market
value or other changes. By signing the IRA Application,  the Depositor certifies
that the Depositor  received the Disclosure  Statement  related to the Custodial
Account at least seven days before the Depositor  signed the IRA  Application to
establish  the  Custodial  Account,  and the IRA  Provider  may rely  upon  such
certification.
     3.  All  contributions  to the  Custodial  Account  shall be  invested  and
reinvested in full and fractional  shares of one or more Funds. Such investments
shall be made in such proportions  and/or in such amounts as Depositor from time
to time in the IRA Application or by other written notice to the Service Company
(in such form as may be  acceptable  to the Service  Company)  may  direct.  The
Service
Company shall be responsible for promptly transmitting all investment directions
by the  Depositor  for  the  purchase  or sale of  shares  of one or more  Funds
hereunder to the Funds'  transfer  agent for execution.  However,  if investment
directions with respect to the investment of any contribution  hereunder are not
received  from the  Depositor  as  required  or, if  received,  are  unclear  or
incomplete  in the  opinion of the Service  Company,  the  contribution  will be
returned to the  Depositor,  or will be held  uninvested (or invested in a money
market fund if available) pending  clarification or completion by the Depositor,
in  either  case  without  liability  for  interest  or for  loss of  income  or
appreciation.  If any other  directions  or other orders by the  Depositor  with
respect to the sale or purchase of shares of one or more Funds for the Custodial
Account are unclear or  incomplete  in the opinion of the Service  Company,  the
Service  Company will refrain from  carrying out such  investment  directions or
from executing any such sale or purchase, without liability for loss of income 
or for appreciation or depreciation of any asset, pending receipt of 
clarification or completion from the Depositor. All investment directions by 
Depositor will be subject to any minimum initial or additional investment or 
minimum balance rules applicable to a Fund as described in its prospectus. All 
dividends and capital gains or other distributions received on the shares of any
Fund held in the Depositor's Account shall be (unless received in additional 
shares) reinvested in full and fractional shares of such
Fund (or of any other Fund offered by the Sponsor, if so directed).
     4. Subject to the minimum initial or additional investment, minimum balance
and other  exchange  rules  applicable to a Fund,  the Depositor may at any time
direct the Service Company to exchange all or a specified  portion of the shares
of a Fund in the Depositor's  Account for shares and fractional shares of one or
more other Funds.  The Depositor  shall give such  directions by written  notice
acceptable  to the Service  Company,  and the Service  Company will process such
directions as soon as practicable  after receipt thereof  (subject to the second
paragraph of Section 3 of this Article VIII).
    


<PAGE>

     5.  Any  purchase  or  redemption  of  shares  of a Fund  for or  from  the
Depositor's  Account will be effected at the public  offering price or net asset
value of such Fund (as described in the then effective prospectus for such Fund)
next  established  after the Service  Company has  transmitted  the  Depositor's
investment  directions  to the  transfer  agent for the Fund(s).  Any  purchase,
exchange, transfer or redemption of shares of a Fund for or from the Depositor's
Account will be subject to any applicable  sales,  redemption or other charge as
described in the then effective prospectus for such Fund.
     6. The Service Company shall maintain  adequate records of all purchases or
sales of shares of one or more Funds for the Depositor's  Custodial Account. Any
account maintained in connection  herewith shall be in the name of the Custodian
for the benefit of the Depositor.  All assets of the Custodial  Account shall be
registered in the name of the Custodian or of a suitable nominee.  The books and
records of the Custodian  shall show that all such  investments  are part of the
Custodial  Account.  The  Custodian  shall  maintain  or cause to be  maintained
adequate  records  reflecting  transactions  of the  Custodial  Account.  In the
discretion of the  Custodian,  records  maintained  by the Service  Company with
respect  to the  Account  hereunder  will be deemed to satisfy  the  Custodian's
recordkeeping  responsibilities  therefor. The Service Company agrees to furnish
the  Custodian  with any  information  the  Custodian  requires to carry out the
Custodian's recordkeeping responsibilities.
     7.  Neither the  Custodian  nor any other party  providing  services to the
Custodial Account will have any responsibility for rendering advice with respect
to the investment and reinvestment of Depositor's  Custodial Account,  nor shall
such parties be liable for any loss or  diminution  in value which  results from
Depositor's exercise of investment control over his Custodial Account. Depositor
shall  have and  exercise  exclusive  responsibility  for and  control  over the
investment of the assets of his Custodial Account, and neither Custodian nor any
other such party shall have any duty to question his  directions  in that regard
or to advise him regarding  the purchase,  retention or sale of shares of one or
more Funds for the Custodial Account.
     8. The Depositor may in writing appoint an investment  advisor with respect
to the Custodial  Account on a form  acceptable to the Custodian and the Service
Company.  The investment  advisor's  appointment will be in effect until written
notice to the  contrary is received by the  Custodian  and the Service  Company.
While an investment  advisor's  appointment is in effect, the investment advisor
may issue investment  directions or may issue orders for the sale or purchase of
shares of one or more Funds to the IRA  Provider,  and the IRA Provider  will be
fully protected and indemnified by the Depositor in carrying out such investment
directions  or  orders  to the same  extent  as if they  had  been  given by the
Depositor.  The Depositor's  appointment of any investment  advisor will also be
deemed to be instructions  to the IRA Provider to pay such investment  advisor's
fees to the  investment  advisor from the Custodial  Account  hereunder  without
additional authorization by the Depositor or the Custodian.
     9.  Distribution  of the assets of the  Custodial  Account shall be made at
such time and in such form as  Depositor  (or the  Beneficiary  if  Depositor is
deceased)  shall  elect  by  written  order  to  the  IRA  Provider.   Depositor
acknowledges  that any  distribution  of a  taxable  amount  from the  Custodial
Account (except for distribution on account of Depositor's  disability or death,
return of an  "excess  contribution"  referred  to in Code  Section  4973,  or a
"rollover" from this Custodial Account) made earlier than age 59 1/2 may subject
Depositor to an "additional tax on early distributions" under Code Section 72(t)
unless an exception to such  additional  tax is  applicable.  For that  purpose,
Depositor  will be considered  disabled if Depositor  can prove,  as provided in
Code Section  72(m)(7),  that  Depositor is unable to engage in any  substantial
gainful  activity  by reason of any  medically  determinable  physical or mental
impairment  which can be expected to result in death or be of long continued and
indefinite  duration.  It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Depositor  (or  the
Beneficiary)  by appropriate  distribution  instructions  to the IRA Provider to
insure that any applicable  distribution  requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9)
and Article IV above are met. If the Depositor (or Beneficiary)  does not direct
the IRA Provider to make  distributions  from the Custodial  Account by the time
that such distributions are required to commence in


<PAGE>



accordance with such  distribution  requirements,  the IRA Provider shall assume
that  the  Depositor  (or  Beneficiary)  is  meeting  the  minimum  distribution
requirements from another individual  retirement  arrangement  maintained by the
Depositor (or  Beneficiary)  and the IRA Provider  shall be fully  protected and
indemnified  by the depositor in so doing.  The  Depositor  (or the  Depositor's
surviving  spouse) may elect to comply  with the  distribution  requirements  in
Article IV using the recalculation of life expectancy  method, or may elect that
the life expectancy of the Depositor and/or the Depositor's surviving spouse, as
applicable,  will not be recalculated;  any such election may be in such form as
the Depositor (or surviving  spouse)  provides  (including  the  calculation  of
minimum  distribution  amounts in accordance with a method that does not provide
for  recalculation  of the life  expectancy  of one or both of the Depositor and
surviving  spouse  and  instructions  for  withdrawals  to the IRA  Provider  in
accordance with such method).  Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of Article IV, unless
an election to have life expectancies  recalculated annually is made by the time
distributions   are  required  to  begin,   life   expectancies   shall  not  be
recalculated. Neither the IRA Provider nor any other party providing services to
the Custodial  Account assumes any  responsibility  for the tax treatment of any
distribution from the Custodial Account;  such responsibility  rests solely with
the person ordering the distribution.
     10. IRA  Provider  assumes (and shall have) no  responsibility  to make any
distribution  except upon the written  order of  Depositor  (or  Beneficiary  if
Depositor  is  deceased)  containing  such  information  as the IRA Provider may
reasonably  request.  Also,  before  making any  distribution  or  honoring  any
assignment of the Custodial  Account,  IRA Provider  shall be furnished with any
and all applications,  certificates, tax waivers, signature guarantees and other
documents  (including  proof of any  legal  representative's  authority)  deemed
necessary  or  advisable  by  Ira  Provider,  but  Ira  Provider  shall  not  be
responsible  for complying  with any order or  instruction  which appears on its
face to be genuine,  or for  refusing to comply if not  satisfied it is genuine,
and Ira  Provider has no duty of further  inquiry.  Any  distributions  from the
Account may be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the last known address of
the person who is to receive such  distribution,  as shown on the Ira Provider's
records,  and such distribution shall to the extent thereof completely discharge
the Ira Provider's liability for such payment.
     11. (a) The term  "Beneficiary"  means the person or persons  designated as
such by the "designating  person" (as defined below) on a form acceptable to the
Ira provider for use in  connection  with the Custodial  Account,  signed by the
designating  person,  and  filed  with  the IRA  Provider.  The  form  may  name
individuals,  trusts, estates, or other entities as either primary or contingent
beneficiaries.  However,  if the designation does not effectively dispose of the
entire Custodial  Account as of the time  distribution is to commence,  the term
"Beneficiary"  shall then mean the  designating  person's estate with respect to
the assets of the Custodial Account not disposed of by the designation form. The
form last accepted by the IRA Provider before such  distribution is to commence,
provided it was received by the IRA Provider (or  deposited in the U.S.  Mail or
with a reputable  delivery  service) during the designating  person's  lifetime,
shall be  controlling  and,  whether or not fully  dispositive  of the Custodial
Account,  thereupon shall revoke all such forms previously filed by that person.
The term  "designating  person" means Depositor during his/her  lifetime;  after
Depositor's  death,  it also means  Depositor's  spouse,  but only if the spouse
elects to treat the Custodial  Account as the spouse's own Custodial  Account in
accordance with applicable provisions of the Code.
     (b) When and after  distributions from the Custodial Account to Depositor's
Beneficiary commence, all rights and obligations assigned to Depositor hereunder
shall  inure to,  and be  enjoyed  and  exercised  by,  Beneficiary  instead  of
Depositor.
     12. (a) The Depositor agrees to provide  information to the IRA Provider at
such time and in such manner as may be necessary for the IRA Provider to prepare
any reports  required under Section 408(i) or Section  408A(d)(3)(E) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder or otherwise.
     (b) The IRA Provider will submit  reports to the Internal  Revenue  Service
and the Depositor at such time and manner and containing such  information as is
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
     (c)  The  Depositor,   IRA  Provider  shall  furnish  to  each  other  such
information  relevant to the Custodial Account as may be required under the Code
and  any  regulations  issued  or  forms  adopted  by  the  Treasury  Department
thereunder  or as may  otherwise  be  necessary  for the  administration  of the
Custodial Account.
     (d) The Depositor  shall file any reports to the Internal  Revenue  Service
which are  required of him by law  (including  Form 5329),  and the IRA Provider
shall not have any duty to advise  Depositor  concerning or monitor  Depositor's
compliance with such requirement.
     13.  (a)  Depositor  retains  the  right to amend  this  Custodial  Account
document in any respect at any time,  effective  on a stated date which shall be
at least 60 days after giving  written  notice of the amendment  (including  its
exact  terms) to IRA  Provider  by  registered  or  certified  mail,  unless IRA
Provider waives notice as to such  amendment.  If the IRA Provider does not wish
to continue serving as such under this Custodial Account document as so amended,
it may resign in accordance with Section 17 below.

<PAGE>

     (b)  Depositor  delegates to the IRA Provider the  Depositor's  right so to
amend,  provided (i) the IRA Provider does not change the investments  available
under this  Custodial  Agreement  and (ii) the IRA  Provider  amends in the same
manner all  agreements  comparable  to this one,  having the same IRA  Provider,
permitting comparable investments, and under which such power has been delegated
to  it;  this  includes  the  power  to  amend  retroactively  if  necessary  or
appropriate  in the  opinion  of the IRA  Provider  in  order  to  conform  this
Custodial  Account  to  pertinent  provisions  of the  Code  and  other  laws or
successor  provisions  of law,  or to  obtain a  governmental  ruling  that such
requirements  are met,  to adopt a  prototype  or master  form of  agreement  in
substitution for this Agreement, or as otherwise may be advisable in the opinion
of the IRA Provider. Such an amendment by the IRA Provider shall be
communicated  in writing to  Depositor,  and  Depositor  shall be deemed to have
consented thereto unless,  within 10 days after such  communication to Depositor
is  mailed,  Depositor  either  (i) gives  IRA  Provider  a written  order for a
complete  distribution or transfer of the Custodial Account, or (ii) removes the
IRA  Provider  and  appoints a  successor  under  Section 17 below.  Pending the
adoption of any  amendment  necessary or  desirable  to conform  this  Custodial
Account  document  to the  requirements  of  any  amendment  to  any  applicable
provision of the Internal Revenue Code or regulations or rulings thereunder, the
IRA  Provider  and the Service  Company may  operate the  Depositor's  Custodial
Account in accordance with such requirements to the extent that the IRA Provider
and/or the Service  Company  deem  necessary to preserve the tax benefits of the
Account.
     (c)  Notwithstanding  the provisions of subsections  (a) and (b) above,  no
amendment shall increase the  responsibilities or duties of IRA Provider without
its prior written consent.
     (d) This Section 13 shall not be  construed to restrict the IRA  Provider's
right to substitute  fee  schedules in the manner  provided by Section 16 below,
and no such substitution shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
     14. (a) Custodian shall  terminate the Custodial  Account if this Agreement
is terminated or if, within 30 days (or such longer time as Custodian may agree)
after  resignation  or removal of  Custodian  under  Section  17,  Depositor  or
Sponsor,  as the case may be, has not  appointed a successor  which has accepted
such  appointment.  Termination  of the  Custodial  Account shall be effected by
distributing  all  assets  thereof  in a  single  payment  in cash or in kind to
Depositor,  subject to Custodian's right to reserve funds as provided in Section
17.
     (b) Upon  termination  of the Custodial  Account,  this  custodial  account
document  shall have no further  force and effect  (except for  Sections  15(f),
17(b) and (c) hereof  which  shall  survive  the  termination  of the  Custodial
Account and this  document),  and  Custodian  shall be relieved from all further
liability  hereunder  or with  respect to the  Custodial  Account and all assets
thereof so distributed.
     15.  (a) In its  discretion,  the  IRA  Provider  may  appoint  one or more
contractors  or service  providers to carry out any of their  functions  and may
compensate  them from the  Custodial  Account for  expenses  attendant  to those
functions.  In the event of such  appointment,  all rights and privileges of the
IRA Provider  under this  Agreement  shall pass through to such  contractors  or
service providers who shall be entitled to enforce them as if a named party.
     (b) The IRA Provider shall be responsible  for receiving all  instructions,
notices, forms and remittances from Depositor and for dealing with or forwarding
the same to the transfer agent for the Fund(s).
     (c) The  parties  do not  intend  to  confer  any  fiduciary  duties on IRA
Provider (or any other party providing services to the Custodial  Account),  and
none shall be implied.  Neither shall be liable (or assumes any  responsibility)
for the collection of contributions, the proper amount, time or tax treatment of
any contribution to the Custodial  Account or the propriety of any contributions
under this  Agreement,  or the  purpose,  time,  amount  (including  any minimum
distribution amounts), tax treatment or propriety of any distribution hereunder,
which  matters  are  the  sole   responsibility  of  Depositor  and  Depositor's
Beneficiary.
     (d) Not later than 60 days after the close of each  calendar year (or after
the IRA Provider's  resignation or removal), the IRA Provider or Service Company
shall  file  with  Depositor  a  written   report  or  reports   reflecting  the
transactions  effected by it during such period and the assets of the  Custodial
Account at its close. Upon the expiration of 60 days after such a report is sent
to Depositor (or  Beneficiary),  the IRA Provider and their  affiliates shall be
forever released and discharged from all liability and  accountability to anyone
with respect to  transactions  shown in or reflected by such report and shall be
indemnified by Depositor in connection therewith except with respect to any such
acts or transactions  as to which Depositor shall have filed written  objections
with the IRA Provider within such 60 day period.
     (e) The  Service  Company  shall  deliver,  or  cause to be  delivered,  to
Depositor all notices,  prospectuses,  financial statements and other reports to
shareholders,  proxies and proxy soliciting  materials relating to the shares of
the Funds(s) credited to the Custodial Account. No shares shall be voted, and no
other action shall be taken pursuant to such  documents,  except upon receipt of
adequate written instructions from Depositor.
     (f)  Depositor  shall  always  fully  indemnify  the IRA Provider and their
affiliates  and save them harmless from any and all liability  whatsoever  which
may arise either (i) in connection  with this Agreement and the matters which it
contemplates,  except that which arises  directly out of the IRA  Provider's  or
their affiliate's,  bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) with
respect to making or failing to make any distribution, other than for failure to
make  distribution  in  accordance  with  an  order  therefor  which  is in full
compliance  with Section 10, or (iii)  actions taken or omitted in good faith by
such  parties.  None of the IRA  Providers  shall be  obligated  or  expected to
commence  or defend  any legal  action or  proceeding  in  connection  with this
Agreement or such matters  unless agreed upon by that party and  Depositor,  and
unless fully indemnified for so doing to that party's satisfaction.
     (g) The IRA Providers  shall each be responsible  solely for performance of
those duties expressly assigned to it in this Agreement, and neither assumes any
responsibility as to duties assigned to anyone else hereunder or by operation of
law.
     (h) The IRA Provider may each conclusively rely upon and shall be protected
in  acting  upon  any  written  order  from  Depositor  or  Beneficiary,  or any
investment  advisor  appointed  under Section 8, or any other  notice,  request,
consent,  certificate or other  instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine
and to have been  properly  executed,  and so long as it acts in good faith,  in
taking or omitting to take any other  action in reliance  thereon.  In addition,
IRA Provider will carry out the requirements of any apparently valid court order
relating to the Custodial  Account and will incur no liability or responsibility
for so doing.
     16. (a) The Depositor, in consideration of the services received under this
Agreement,  shall pay the fees specified on the applicable fee schedule. The fee
schedule originally applicable shall be the one specified in the IRA Application
or Disclosure Statement,  as applicable.  The Sponsor may substitute a different
fee schedule at any time upon 30 days' notice to Depositor.  The Depositor shall
also pay reasonable fees for any services not contemplated by any applicable fee
schedule  and either  deemed by the IRA Provider to be necessary or desirable or
requested by Depositor.

<PAGE>

     (b) Any income,  gift,  estate and inheritance taxes and other taxes of any
kind  whatsoever,  including  transfer  taxes  incurred in  connection  with the
investment or reinvestment of the assets of the Custodial  Account,  that may be
levied or  assessed  in respect  to such  assets,  and all other  administrative
expenses  incurred  by the  IRA  Provider  in  the  performance  of  its  duties
(including  fees  for  legal  services  rendered  to it in  connection  with the
Custodial  Account)  shall  be  charged  to the  Custodial  Account.  If the IRA
Provider is required to pay any such  amount,  the  Depositor  (or  Beneficiary)
shall promptly upon notice thereof reimburse the IRA Provider.
     (c) All such fees and taxes and other  administrative  expenses  charged to
the  Custodial  Account  shall  be  collected  either  from  the  amount  of any
contribution or  distribution  to or from the Account,  or (at the option of the
person  entitled  to collect  such  amounts)  to the extent  possible  under the
circumstances  by the conversion  into cash of sufficient  shares of one or more
Funds held in the  Custodial  Account  (without  liability for any loss incurred
thereby).  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the IRA Provider may make demand upon
the  Depositor  for  payment  of the  amount  of  such  fees,  taxes  and  other
administrative  expenses.  Fees which  remain  outstanding  after 60 days may be
subject to a collection charge.
     17. (a) Upon 30 days' prior written notice to the  Custodian,  Depositor or
Sponsor,  as the case may be,  may  remove it from its  office  hereunder.  Such
notice,  to be  effective,  shall  designate a successor  custodian and shall be
accompanied by the successor's written acceptance. The Custodian also may at any
time resign upon 30 days' prior written notice to Sponsor, whereupon the Sponsor
shall notify the Depositor (or Beneficiary) and shall appoint a successor to the
Custodian. In connection with its resignation hereunder,  the Custodian may, but
is not required  to,  designate a successor  custodian by written  notice to the
Sponsor  or  Depositor  (or  Beneficiary),  and the  Sponsor  or  Depositor  (or
Beneficiary)  will be deemed to have  consented  to such  successor  unless  the
Sponsor or Depositor (or Beneficiary) designates a different successor custodian
and provides written notice thereof  together with such a different  successor's
written  acceptance  by such date as the  Custodian  specifies  in its  original
notice to the Sponsor or Depositor (or  Beneficiary)  (provided that the Sponsor
or  Depositor  (or  Beneficiary)  will have a minimum of 30 days to  designate a
different successor).
     (b) The successor custodian shall be a bank, insured credit union, or other
person  satisfactory  to  the  Secretary  of the  Treasury  under  Code  Section
408(a)(2).  Upon receipt by Custodian of written  acceptance by its successor of
such  successor's  appointment,  Custodian  shall  transfer and pay over to such
successor  the  assets of the  Custodial  Account  and all  records  (or  copies
thereof) of Custodian pertaining thereto,  provided that the successor custodian
agrees not to dispose  of any such  records  without  the  Custodian's  consent.
Custodian is authorized, however, to reserve such sum of money or property as it
may deem  advisable  for  payment  of all its  fees,  compensation,  costs,  and
expenses,  or for payment of any other  liabilities  constituting a charge on or
against the assets of the  Custodial  Account or on or against the IRA Provider,
with any balance of such reserve  remaining  after the payment of all such items
to be paid over to the successor custodian.
     (c) No IRA  Provider  shall  be  liable  for the acts or  omissions  of its
predecessor or its successor.
     18. References herein to the "Internal Revenue Code" or "Code" and sections
thereof shall mean the same as amended from time to time,  including  successors
to such sections.
     19. Except where otherwise  specifically  required in this  Agreement,  any
notice from IRA Provider to any person  provided for in this Agreement  shall be
effective  if sent by  first-class  mail to such  person at that  person's  last
address on the IRA Provider's records.
     20. Depositor or Depositor's  Beneficiary shall not have the right or power
to anticipate any part of the Custodial  Account or to sell,  assign,  transfer,
pledge or  hypothecate  any part  thereof.  The  Custodial  Account shall not be
liable for the debts of Depositor or  Depositor's  Beneficiary or subject to any
seizure, attachment,  execution or other legal process in respect thereof except
to the extent  required by law. At no time shall it be possible  for any part of
the assets of the Custodial Account to be used for or diverted to purposes other
than for the exclusive benefit of the Depositor or his/her Beneficiary except to
the extent required by law.
     21. When accepted by the Custodian, this Agreement is accepted in and shall
be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the state where the
principal  offices  of the  Custodian  are  located.  Any action  involving  the
Custodian brought by any other party must be brought in a state or federal court
in such state.
     If in the IRA Application,  Depositor designates that the Custodial Account
is a Regular  IRA,  this  Agreement  is intended to qualify  under Code  Section
408(a) as an individual retirement Custodial Account and to entitle Depositor to
the retirement savings deduction under Code Section 219 if available.  If in the
IRA  ApplicationDepositor  designates that the Custodial  Account is a Roth IRA,
this  Agreement  is  intended  to  qualify  under  Code  Section  408A as a Roth
individual retirement Custodial Account and to entitle Depositor to the tax-free
withdrawal of amounts from the Custodial Account to the extent permitted in such
Code section. If any provision hereof is subject to more than one interpretation
or any term used herein is subject to more than one construction, such ambiguity
shall be  resolved  in favor of that  interpretation  or  construction  which is
consistent with the intent expressed in whichever of the two preceding sentences
is applicable. However, the IRA Provider shall not be responsible for whether or
not such intentions are achieved through use of this Agreement, and Depositor is
referred to Depositor's attorney for any such assurances.
     22. Depositor should seek advice from  Depositor's  attorney  regarding the
legal consequences  (including but not limited to federal and state tax matters)
of entering into this  Agreement,  contributing  to the Custodial  Account,  and
ordering  IRA  Provider  to  make  distributions  from  the  Account.  Depositor
acknowledges  that IRA  Provider  (and any  company  associated  therewith)  are
prohibited by law from rendering such advice.

<PAGE>

     23. If any  provision  of any  document  governing  the  Custodial  Account
provides  for notice,  instructions  or other  communications  from one party to
another in writing,  to the extent  provided  for in the  procedures  of the IRA
Provider  or  any  other  party,   any  such  notice,   instructions   or  other
communications may be given by telephonic,  computer,  other electronic or other
means, and the requirement for written notice will be deemed satisfied.
     24. The legal documents governing the Custodial Account are as follows:
     (a) If in the IRA Applicationthe Depositor designated the Custodial Account
as a Regular IRA under Code Section 408(a),  the provisions of Part One and Part
Three of this Agreement and the provisions of the IRA  Applicationare  the legal
documents governing the Depositor's Custodial Account.
     (b) If in the IRA Applicationthe Depositor designated the Custodial Account
as a Roth IRA under Code Section 408A, the provisions of Part Two and Part Three
of this  Agreement  and the  provisions  of the IRA  Application  are the  legal
documents governing the Depositor's Custodial Account.
     (c) In the IRA  Application  the  Depositor  must  designate  the Custodian
Account as either a Roth IRA or a Regular  IRA,  and a separate  account will be
established for such IRA. One Custodial  Account may not serve as a Roth IRA and
a Regular IRA (through the use of subaccounts or otherwise).
     25.  Articles I through VII of Part One of this  Agreement  are in the form
promulgated by the Internal  Revenue  Service as Form 5305-A.  It is anticipated
that,  if and when the  Internal  Revenue  Service  promulgates  changes to Form
5305-A, the IRA Provider will amend this Agreement correspondingly.
     Articles  I  through  VII of Part  Two of this  Agreement  are in the  form
promulgated by the Internal  Revenue Service as Form 5305-RA.  It is anticipated
that,  if and when the  Internal  Revenue  Service  promulgates  changes to Form
5305-RA,  the IRA  Provider  will  amend  this  Agreement  correspondingly.  The
Internal  Revenue  Service has  endorsed the use of  documentation  permitting a
Depositor  to  establish  either a Regular IRA or Roth IRA (but not both using a
single IRA Application),  and this Kit complies with the requirements of the IRS
guidance for such use. If the Internal Revenue Service  subsequently  determines
that such an approach is not  permissible,  or that the use of a "combined"  IRA
Application  does not  establish a valid  Regular IRA or a Roth IRA (as the case
may be), the IRA Provider  will seek to furnish the Depositor  with  replacement
documents and the Depositor will if necessary sign such  replacement  documents.
Depositor  acknowledge  and agrees to such  procedures and to cooperate with IRA
Provider to preserve the intended tax treatment of the Account.
     26. If the Depositor maintains an Individual  Retirement Account under Code
section  408(a),  Depositor may convert or transfer such other IRA to a Roth IRA
under  Code  section  408A  using  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  and  the IRA
Application by completing and executing the IRA  Application and giving suitable
directions  to the IRA Provider and the  custodian or trustee of such other IRA.
Alternatively,  the  Depositor  may convert or transfer such other IRA to a Roth
IRA by use of a reply card or by  telephonic,  computer or  electronic  means in
accordance  with  procedures  adopted by the IRA  Provider  intended to meet the
requirements  of Code section  408A,  and the  Depositor  will be deemed to have
executed the IRA  Application  and adopted the  provisions of this Agreement and
the IRA Application in accordance with such procedures.
     27. The  Depositor  acknowledges  that he or she has  received and read the
current prospectus for each Fund in which his or her Account is invested and the
Individual  Retirement Account Disclosure  Statement related to the Account. The
Depositor  represents under penalties of perjury that his or her Social Security
number  (or  other  Taxpayer   Identification  Number)  as  stated  in  the  IRA
Application is correct.

<PAGE>



IRAK-1/98






[DESCRIPTION]      ISC  403(b)(7) Custodial Agreement


   IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER 403(B)(7) ACCOUNT


Dear Investor Service Center 403(b)(7) Account Holder:

Recent  legislation  makes some  changes in the tax law rules for the  403(b)(7)
custodial accounts. The main changes for 403(b)(7) accounts are as follows:

Previously,  an employee could make only one salary reduction  agreement (or one
modification to an existing salary reduction agreement) in a calendar year. Now,
an employee may (subject to any reasonable  limitations imposed by his employer)
change  his/her  salary  reduction  agreement  as often as he  wishes.  The only
requirement is that any change may relate only to  compensation  to be earned in
the future  (i.e.  future pay  periods),  not to any pay  already  earned at the
effective date of the change.

The current tax law rule requiring an employee to start receiving  distributions
from his  403(b)(7)  account on the April 1 following the calendar year in which
the employee reaches age 702 has been changed. Under the new rule, distributions
must start by the April 1 following  the year in which the employee  reaches age
702 or retires,  whichever  is later.  This change is effective as of January 1,
1997.

The method for calculating the maximum 403(b)(7) contribution by an employee has
changed.  First,  the limit on  voluntary  salary  reductions  by an  individual
(including both salary reduction  contributions  to a 403(b)(7)  account or to a
401(k) plan) has been increased from $9,500 in 1997 to $10,000 in 1998.  Second,
the  definition  of  Acompensation@  for purposes of  calculating  certain other
limits on an  individual=s  contribution  have been  changed.  Starting in 1998,
compensation  before  salary  reductions  will be used to determine  these other
contribution  limits. These changes in general will result in eligible employees
being able to make larger 403(b)(7) contributions in 1998.

The tax law rule  imposing  a 15%  penalty  tax on very large  withdrawals  from
tax-favored  retirement  arrangements,  including  403(b)(7) custodial accounts,
IRAs and qualified  employer-sponsored  plans has been  repealed.  A related 15%
penalty tax on large accumulations remaining in such tax-favored arrangements at
an individual=s death has also been repealed.

Enclosed is an amendment and  restatement of your 403(b)(7)  Account  Agreement.
This amendment  revises your Agreement to reflect the new tax law changes and to
make other technical or clarifying changes.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO SIGN ANYTHING OR
RETURN ANYTHING TO US.

It is our  pleasure  to serve  your  retirement  planning  needs by  continually
revising  the  documentation  for your  403(b)(7)  account as tax laws and other
legal rules change.




<PAGE>



      INVESTOR SERVICE CENTER SECTION 403(B)(7) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF JANUARY 1, 1998



                                    ARTICLE I



                                   DEFINITIONS



         1.1 Account:  The custodial  account  established and maintained  under
this  Agreement on behalf of the Employee  pursuant to Section  403(b)(7) of the
Code.

         1.2 Account Holder: The Employee,  or, after the death of the Employee,
the Beneficiary of the Employee,  or executor or  administrator of the estate of
the Employee entitled to direct investment of assets held in the Account.

         1.3 Agreement:  The Investor Service Center Section 403(b)(7) Custodial
Account  Agreement  as set forth  herein (and as it may be amended  from time to
time).

         1.4  Application:  The  Application  for the  Investor  Service  Center
Section  403(b)(7)  Custodial Account executed by the Employee and the Custodian
providing for the  establishment of the Account in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

         1.5  Beneficiary:  The person or persons  designated in accordance with
the provisions of Article 5.6 to receive any  undistributed  amounts credited to
the Account upon the death of the  Employee.  No person(s)  will be treated as a
Beneficiary   hereunder   until  the  Custodian  has  been  provided  with  such
verification of the Employee's death as the Custodian deems  necessary,  and the
Custodian  will incur no liability  (including  but not limited to liability for
investment  losses or loss of appreciation) for not treating the Beneficiary or,
if applicable,  the Executor or Administrator of the Employee's  estate,  as the
Account  Holder  until  the  Employee's  death  has  been so  verified,  and the
Custodian  has been  provided  with such  verification  as the  Custodian  deems
necessary of the  identity of the person  claiming to be  Beneficiary  or of the
valid appointment of the person claiming to be Executor or Administrator.

         1.6 Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  and including
any regulations or rulings issued thereunder.

         1.7      Company:  [Name of Mutual Fund Management Company].  
Contributions to the Account shall be invested in one or more Funds which have 
an investment management, distribution and/or service contract with the Company.

         1.8  Custodian:  Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company or any  successor
thereto  appointed in accordance with the provisions of Article 8, provided that
such successor is either a bank or another person who satisfies the requirements
of Section 401(f)(2) of the Code.

         1.9  Direct Contribution:  The amount, other than a Salary Reduction
Contribution, contributed by the employer to the Account.

         1.10 Disability:  A determination that the Employee is unable to engage
in any  substantial  gainful  activity  by  reason of a  medically  determinable
physical or mental  impairment which can be expected to result in death or to be
of long-continued and indefinite duration.

                                        2

<PAGE>



         1.11 Employee:  The individual who has executed the Application and who
is employed by the Employer on a full or  part-time  basis or who is a former or
retired employee of the Employer.

         1.12     Employer:  The employer that is:

                  (a)      described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and exempt
                           from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code; or

                  (b)      a State, a political  subdivision  of a State,  or an
                           agency  or  instrumentality  thereof,  but only  with
                           respect to  employees  who perform or have  performed
                           services for an educational organization described in
                           Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code;

and,  except  with  respect to an Account to which no  contributions  other than
rollovers or transfers are made, the Employer that has executed the Application.

         1.13 ERISA:  The Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as
amended, including any regulations issued thereunder.

         1.14  Financial  Hardship:  A  determination  that the  Employee has an
immediate and heavy  financial need  requiring a distribution  from the Account.
Any  determination  of the existence of a qualifying  financial  hardship on the
part of the Employee and the amount  required to be distributed to meet the need
created  by the  hardship  shall  be made  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and
regulations under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code.

         1.15 Fund(s): One or more of the regulated investment companies offered
by [Name of funds], a [state] corporation,  as available  investments under this
Agreement.

         1.16     Salary Reduction Agreement:  The Salary Reduction Agreement 
described in Article 3.2.

         1.17     Salary Reduction Contribution:  The amount contributed by the
Employer to the Account in accordance with a Salary Reduction Agreement.



                                   ARTICLE II

                            ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT

         2.1   Purpose.   This   Agreement   is  intended  to  provide  for  the
establishment and  administration of an Account to receive  contributions by the
Employer on behalf of the Employee in accordance  with Section  403(b)(7) of the
Code or to receive  rollover  contributions  or transfers  from  another  403(b)
annuity contract or custodial account.

         2.2  Establishment  of  Account.  The  Custodian  shall  establish  and
maintain the Account for the benefit of the Employee  according to the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement.  The name,  address and social security number of
the Employee and Beneficiary are set forth on the  Application,  and it shall be
the  obligation  of the Account  Holder to notify the  Custodian  of any changes
thereto. The Application and, if applicable, the Salary Reduction Agreement, are
incorporated  herein by  reference.  The  Account  will  become  effective  upon
acceptance  by  or  on  behalf  of  the  Custodian,   as  evidenced  by  written
confirmation to the Employee.



                                   ARTICLE III

                                  CONTRIBUTIONS

                                        3

<PAGE>



         3.1   Contributions.   The   Employer   shall  make  Salary   Reduction
Contributions  to the Account on behalf of the Employee in  accordance  with the
Salary Reduction Agreement between the Employer and the Employee as described in
Article  3.2,  subject to the  limitations  of Articles  3.4,  3.5,  and 3.6. In
addition, the Employer may make Direct Contributions to the Account on behalf of
any Employee in accordance with any retirement  plan,  fund or program  covering
the Employee,  subject to the limitations of Article 3.4, the  nondiscrimination
requirements of Code section 403(b)(12), and applicable requirements of ERISA.

         3.2 Salary Reduction Agreement. The Salary Reduction Agreement shall be
a legally binding  agreement  between the Employer and the Employee  whereby the
Employee agrees to take a reduction in salary or to forego an increase in salary
with respect to amounts earned after the agreement's effective date, and whereby
the Employer  agrees to contribute  the amount of salary  reduced or foregone by
the Employee to the Account. The Salary Reduction Agreement may be terminated at
any time by the Employee with respect to amounts not yet earned by the Employee.

         3.3  Limitations  in General.  The Employee shall compute and determine
the  maximum  amount  that may be  contributed  on  behalf  of the  Employee  in
accordance  with the  Employee's  exclusion  allowance,  as  defined  in Section
403(b)(2) of the Code, and in accordance with the applicable  limitations  under
Section 415(c) of the Code and, if applicable, in accordance with Section 402(g)
of the Code.  Neither the  Custodian nor the Company shall have any liability or
responsibility  with respect to such computations or determinations,  or for any
tax imposed on any excess contributions that exceed the limitations or exclusion
allowance, which matters are solely the responsibility of the Employee.

         3.4      Contribution Limitations.

                  (a)      No  amount  shall be  contributed  on  behalf  of the
                           Employee  for any  limitation  year in  excess of the
                           applicable limitations of Section 415(c) of the Code.
                           In the absence of a special  election by the Employee
                           under  Section  415(c)(4)  of the  Code,  the  amount
                           contributed shall not exceed the lesser of:

                           (i)      $30,000  (or,  if  greater,  one-fourth  the
                                    defined  benefit plan dollar  limitation  in
                                    effect under  Section  415(b)(1) of the Code
                                    for the limitation year); or

                           (ii)     25  percent of the  Employee's  compensation
                                    (within the meaning of Section  415(c)(3) of
                                    the Code) for the limitation year.

                  (b)      The term "limitation year" shall mean the calendar 
                           year, unless the Employee elects to change the 
                           limitation year to another twelve-month period by
                           attaching a statement to his or her federal income 
                           tax return in accordance with the regulations under 
                           Section 415 of the Code.  If the Employee is
                           in control (within the meaning of Code Section 414(b)
                           or (c), as modified by Code Section 415(h)) of the 
                           Employer, the limitation year shall be the same as 
                           the limitation year of
                           the Employer under Section 415 of the Code.

                  (c)      If the Employer or any affiliated employer as 
                           described in Section 415(h) of the Code makes 
                           contributions on behalf of the Employee to any other 
                           custodial account or annuity contract described in 
                           Section 403(b) of the Code, then the contributions to
                           such annuity contract shall be combined with
                           the contributions to the Account for purposes of the
                           limitations of subsection (a).  If the Employee is 
                           covered by a qualified plan sponsored by an entity 
                           controlled by the

                                        4

<PAGE>



                           Employee,  then  contributions  to such a plan  shall
                           also be included for the purposes of the  limitations
                           of subsection (a).

         3.5 Exclusion from Gross Income. For federal tax purposes, the Employee
may exclude from gross  income for any taxable  year the Employer  contributions
that are made to the Account to the extent such  contributions do not exceed the
Employee's  exclusion  allowance  under  Section  403(b)(2)  of the Code for the
taxable year (and all other applicable limitations, including those set forth in
Sections 3.4 and 3.7).

         3.6 Excess  Contributions.  Any  excess  contributions  (as  defined in
Section  4973(c) of the Code) that are made to the  Account  shall be subject to
the six percent excise tax of Section 4973(a) of the Code. Neither the Custodian
nor the Company shall have any duty or  responsibility  for determining  whether
any  contributions  to the  Account are  excludable  from the  Employee's  gross
income,  or for assuring that any contributions to the Account do not constitute
excess  contributions  for purposes of Code Section  4973.  The  disposition  of
excess  contributions  will be made in  accordance  with  instructions  from the
Employer, if the Employee has not separated from service, or otherwise, from the
Employee.  The Employer or Employee  providing such  instructions is responsible
for determining that they are consistent with applicable law.

         3.7      Limitation on Salary Reduction Contributions.

           (a)      Employer contributions that are made to the Account pursuant
                    to a Salary Reduction Agreement shall not exceed the amount 
                    of $10,000, or such greater amounts as may be permitted with
                    respect to the Employee for the taxable year under Section
                    402(g)(5) of the Code, reduced by the aggregate amounts
                    contributed in any calendar year at the election of the
                    Employee to any qualified cash and deferred arrangement
                    described in Section 401(k) of the Code, any simplified
                    employee pension described in Section 408(k)(6) of the Code,
                    any Simple IRA described in Section 408(p) of the Code, and
                    any eligible deferred compensation plan described in Section
                    457 of the Code.

           (b)      Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
                    contrary, if the Employee determines that an amount
                    contributed during a taxable year to the Account exceeds the
                    limitation set forth in subsection (a), and no later than
                    March 1 of the following taxable year notifies the Custodian
                    in writing of the excess amount the Employee has determined,
                    then the Custodian shall distribute such excess amount, plus
                    any income or minus any losses allocable thereto, to the
                    Employee no later than the following April 15.  The Employee
                    shall have the sole responsibility for timely determining 
                    any excess deferrals to the Account and notifying the 
                    Custodian in accordance with these procedures.

                  (c)      Neither the  Custodian nor the Company shall have any
                           duty or  responsibility  for determining  whether any
                           contributions  to  the  Account   constitute   excess
                           deferrals as described in Section 402(g)(2)(A) of the
                           Code, or for assuring  that any excess  deferrals are
                           timely  distributed in accordance with the procedures
                           of Section 402(g)(2)(A) of the Code.

                                        5

<PAGE>



         3.8      Rollover Contributions and Transfers.

                  (a)      The  Employee  shall be  permitted to make a rollover
                           contribution  to the Account of an amount received by
                           the Employee that is attributable to participation in
                           another   annuity   contract  or  custodial   account
                           described  in  Section  403(b) of the Code,  provided
                           such   rollover   contribution   complies   with  all
                           requirements   of   Section   403(b)(8)   or  Section
                           408(d)(3)(A)(iii)   of   the   Code,   whichever   is
                           applicable.

           (b)    The Custodian may accept a direct transfer of assets to the
                  Account on behalf of the Employee from another annuity
                  contract or custodial account described in Section 403(b) of
                  the Code to the extent permitted by the Code and the
                  regulations and rulings thereunder.  The Employee shall not
                  request or initiate a transfer (or a rollover) from a contract
                  or account containing distribution restrictions that are more
                  restrictive than those provided in Article V.  The Employee
                  shall not request or initiate a transfer from a contract or
                  account covered by ERISA, unless the transferee Account is
                  part of an employee benefit plan which provides distribution
                  restrictions which meet the requirements of Section 205 of
                  ERISA and the regulations thereunder with respect to any
                  amount transferred.

                  (c)      Neither the  Custodian nor the Company shall have any
                           duty or  responsibility  for determining  whether any
                           rollover  contribution or transfer of assets by or on
                           behalf of the  Employee  pursuant to this Article 3.8
                           is a proper  rollover  contribution  or  transfer  of
                           assets  under the Code,  or for the tax  treatment to
                           the Employee of any transfer or rollover.

           (d)    To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Account
                  Holder reserves the right to transfer or rollover any or all
                  of the assets of the Account to such other form of annuity
                  contract or custodial account described in Section 403(b) of
                  the Code or to such Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or
                  other plan established pursuant to Section 408 of the Code as
                  the Employee may determine, upon written instructions to the
                  Custodian, in a form acceptable to the Custodian; provided,
                  however that the Custodian shall have no responsibility for
                  the tax treatment to the Account Holder of any such transfer
                  or rollover.

           (e)    The Custodian shall not be liable for losses arising from the
                  acts, omissions, or delays or other inaction of any party
                  transferring assets to the Account or receiving assets
                  transferred from the Account pursuant to this Article, or for
                  determining or inquiring into whether any account or annuity
                  transferring assets to or receiving assets from the Account
                  complies with all applicable requirements of the Code and IRS
                  rulings or for the tax or other consequences of noncompliance.

         3.9 Manner of Making  Contributions.  All  contributions to the Account
shall be paid directly to the Custodian.  Contributions  may be made by check or
bank  wire.   Contributions   shall  be  preceded  or   accompanied  by  written
instructions directing the investment of the amount contributed on behalf of the
Employee in accordance with Article 4.1.



                                        6

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   INVESTMENTS

         4.1  Investment of Account.  All  contributions  to the Account and all
assets in the  Account  shall be  invested  in the  Fund(s) in  accordance  with
instructions given to the Custodian by the Account Holder in a manner acceptable
to the Custodian.  Such instructions shall remain in effect until changed by the
Account  Holder in a manner  acceptable  to the  Custodian.  By giving  any such
instructions,  the Account Holder will be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of
the then current  prospectus of any Fund in which the Account  Holder  instructs
the Custodian to invest such  contributions or assets. If the Custodian receives
any   contribution  to  the  Account  that  is  not  accompanied  by  acceptable
instructions directing its investment, the Custodian may hold or return all or a
part of the  contribution  uninvested  (or  invested  in a money  market fund if
available) without liability for loss of income or appreciation  pending receipt
of acceptable instructions.

         4.2  Investment  Advice.  The Account  Holder  agrees that  neither the
Custodian  nor the Company  undertake  to provide any advice with respect to the
investment  of the  Account,  and that the  responsibility  of the  Custodian to
invest in shares of a particular  Fund pursuant to the directions of the Account
Holder does not  constitute an  endorsement  by the Custodian of that Fund.  The
Account Holder will have sole power and responsibility for the investment of the
Account in shares of one or more Funds selected by the Account  Holder.  Neither
the Custodian nor the Company shall be liable for any loss that results from the
exercise of control over the Account by the Account Holder.

         4.3 Account Earnings.  All dividends,  capital gains  distributions and
other  earnings  received by the  Custodian  on any shares of a Fund held in the
Account shall be automatically reinvested in additional shares of such Fund.

         4.4 Investment  Exchanges.  The Account Holder may direct the Custodian
to redeem  any or all  shares of any Fund  that are held in the  Account  and to
reinvest the proceeds in any other Fund available under this Agreement. Any such
directions shall be given in a manner  acceptable to the Custodian.  If any such
directions  are  incomplete or ambiguous,  the Custodian will not carry out such
directions until the incompleteness or ambiguity is resolved,  and the Custodian
will have no liability for loss of income or appreciation pending the resolution
of such incompleteness or ambiguity. By giving any such directions,  the Account
Holder  will  be  deemed  to  have  acknowledged  receipt  of the  then  current
prospectus  of any Fund in which the Account  Holder  instructs the Custodian to
reinvest such  proceeds.  Any such exchange  transaction  shall conform with the
provisions of the current prospectus for the applicable Fund.

         4.5 Record Ownership; Voting of Shares. All Fund shares acquired by the
Custodian  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall be  registered  in the name of the
Custodian or its nominee.  The  Custodian  shall mail or transmit to the Account
Holder's  address of record all  notices,  prospectuses,  financial  statements,
proxies  and proxy  soliciting  materials  relating  to the  shares  held in the
Account.  The Custodian shall not vote any such shares except in accordance with
written instructions  received from the Account Holder,  provided however,  that
the Custodian may, in the absence of  instructions,  vote "present" for the sole
purpose of allowing such shares to be counted for establishment of a quorum at a
shareholder's meeting.



                                    ARTICLE V

                        DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS OF ACCOUNT

                                        7

<PAGE>



         5.1 Request for Distribution. The Custodian shall distribute the assets
of the  Account  to the  Employee  upon  receipt by the  Custodian  of a written
request for distribution  submitted by the Employee, in a form acceptable to the
Custodian, subject to the limitations of Article 5.2.

         5.2 Limitations on  Distributions.  Except as may otherwise be provided
in  Article  3.6 or  Article  3.7(b),  the  assets of the  Account  shall not be
distributed  to the Employee  before the Employee  attains age 59-1/2 unless the
Employee has:

                  (a)      separated from the service of the Employer,

                  (b)      incurred a Disability, or

                  (c)      encountered Financial Hardship.

Any distribution  that is made to the Employee for reason of Financial  Hardship
shall not  exceed  the  amount of  Employer  contributions  made to the  Account
pursuant to a salary reduction  agreement with the Employee,  excluding earnings
thereon.

         5.3 Method of Distribution.  Subject to the limitations of this Article
5, the Employee may elect to have distribution of the assets of the Account made
in one or a combination of the following ways:

                  (a)      lump-sum payment; or

                  (b)      monthly,  quarterly  or annual  installment  payments
                           over  a  period   certain  not  to  exceed  the  life
                           expectancy  of the  Employee  or the  joint  and last
                           survivor  life  expectancy of the Employee and his or
                           her  Beneficiary  in  a  manner  that  satisfies  the
                           minimum distribution requirements of Article 5.4.

If no election of the method of  distribution  is made by the Employee within 30
days of  receipt  by the  Custodian  of the  written  request  for  distribution
referred to in Article 5.1, the Custodian  shall make such  distribution  to the
Employee in a lump-sum payment of cash.

         5.4      Minimum Distribution Requirements Prior to Death of Employee.

          (a)    Commencement of Distributions.  Notwithstanding any provision
                 -----------------------------
                 of this Agreement to the contrary,  distribution of the
                 Account shall commence no later than the "Required Beginning
                 Date".  For any Employee who attained age 70-1/2 after
                 December 31, 1996 or before January 1, 1988, the Required
                 Beginning Date is the April 1 following the calendar year in
                 which the Employee attains age 70-1/2 or terminates
                 employment, whichever is the later.  For any Employee who
                 attained age 70-1/2 in 1988 and had not retired by January 1,
                 1989, the Required Beginning Date is April 1, 1990.  For any
                 other Employee who attained age 70 and 1/2 after December 31,
                 1987 and before January 1, 1997, the Required Beginning Date
                 is the April 1 following the calendar year in which the
                 Employee attains age 70-1/2 regardless of whether the Employee
                 has then retired.  Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph,
                 effective January 1, 1997, the Required Beginning Date for an
                 Employee (other than an Employee who is  a five percent owner,
                 as defined in Section 416 of the Code, of the Employer with
                 respect to the year in which the Employee attains age 70-1/2)
                 is the April 1 following the calendar year in which the
                 Employee attains age 70-1/2 or retires from the Employer,
                 whichever is later. [If an Employee is still employed by the

                                        8

<PAGE>



                           Employer  after January 1, 1997,  and he is receiving
                           required   distributions   in  accordance   with  the
                           preceding  paragraph  but  would not be  required  to
                           receive  distributions  under the preceding sentence,
                           the Employee may file an election  with the Custodian
                           to cease  minimum  required  distributions  under the
                           preceding  paragraph;  and such  Employee  may resume
                           distributions  by filing a written  request  with the
                           Custodian   under  Section  5.1  above  at  the  time
                           required by the preceding sentence. In the case of an
                           Account  which  contains  Direct  Contributions,  the
                           election in the preceding sentence will apply only if
                           the Employer  consents  thereto in a written  consent
                           filed with the Custodian.]

                  (b)      Minimum Amounts to be Distributed. The minimum amount
                           distributed  to the Employee  for each taxable  year,
                           beginning no later than the Required  Beginning  Date
                           under subsection (a) above,  must equal or exceed the
                           minimum   distribution    required   under   Sections
                           401(a)(9)  and  403(b)(10)  of the Code and must meet
                           the  incidental  death  benefit  requirement  of  the
                           regulations under Section 401(a)(9).

         5.5 Distribution Upon Death of Employee. In the event the Employee dies
prior to the  complete  distribution  of the assets of the  Account,  all assets
remaining in the Account shall be distributed to the Employee's Beneficiary in a
lump-sum payment or in monthly,  quarterly or annual installment payments over a
specified  period as selected in writing by the  Beneficiary in accordance  with
the following rules:

                  (a)      Where   Distribution   Had  Already   Commenced.   If
                           distribution  to the Employee  had already  commenced
                           and the Employee died after the  Employee's  Required
                           Beginning  Date,  the assets of the Account  shall be
                           distributed to the Beneficiary at least as rapidly as
                           under the method of  distribution  in effect prior to
                           the Employee's death.

                  (b)      Five-Year  Rule.  If the  Employee  died  before  the
                           Employee's Required Beginning Date, the assets of the
                           Account shall be  distributed  to the  Beneficiary by
                           December 31 of the calendar  year which  contains the
                           fifth anniversary of the death of the Employee.

              (c)     Exception for Distributions Over Life Expectancy.
                      ------------------------------------------------
                      Notwithstanding subsection (b) above, the assets of the
                      Account may be distributed to the Beneficiary in 
                      installment payments over a period certain not exceeding
                      the Beneficiary's life expectancy, provided such 
                      distribution commences by
                      December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the
                      year of the Employee's death or, if the Beneficiary is the
                      surviving spouse of the Employee, by December 31 of the 
                      later of (1) the calendar year immediately following the 
                      calendar year in which the Employee died or (2) the
                      calendar year in which the Employee would have attained
                      age 70- 1/2.

In determining the minimum amounts required to be distributed  under Section 5.4
or this Section 5.5, life  expectancies  of the Employee  and/or the  Employee's
spouse may be recalculated  annually in accordance with applicable  regulations,
but only if the Employee and/or the Employee's spouse specifically so provide in
writing;  life  expectancies  of any  person  other  than  the  Employee  or the
Employee's  spouse will not be  recalculated.  Notwithstanding  any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent permitted under regulation, ruling

                                        9

<PAGE>



procedures or notice of the Internal Revenue Service,  the minimum  distribution
calculated in  accordance  with Code  sections  403(b)(10)  and 401(a)(9) may be
taken from any 403(b)  annuity or account of the Employee.  The  Custodian  will
have no  responsibility  for  determining  the  required  time or  amount of any
distribution required under such Code sections, but will make distributions only
in accordance with the proper  directions by the Account  Holder;  the Custodian
will have no  liability  for not making a  distribution  in the  absence of such
directions  and may assume that the Account  Holder is satisfying any applicable
minimum  distribution  requirement  from  another  403(b)  annuity or  custodial
account. If the Beneficiary dies while receiving payments from the Account,  all
remaining  assets in the Account shall be  distributed as soon as practicable to
the estate of the Beneficiary.

         5.6  Designation  of  Beneficiary.  The  Employee may from time to time
designate any person, persons or entity as the Beneficiary who shall receive any
undistributed  assets held in the Account at the time of the  Employee's  death.
Any  Beneficiary  designation by the Employee shall be made on a form prescribed
by  the  Custodian  (or  in  another  written  designation   acceptable  to  the
Custodian), and shall be effective only when filed with the Custodian during the
lifetime of the Employee.  If the Employee  fails to designate a Beneficiary  in
the manner  provided  above,  or if the  Beneficiary  designated by the Employee
predeceases  the Employee,  the assets of the Account shall be distributed  upon
the death of the  Employee  in the  following  order of  priority:  first to the
employee's  surviving spouse, if any, and second, to the estate of the Employee.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if  this  Agreement  constitutes  part  of  an
"employee  benefit plan" under ERISA, then the Beneficiary of a married Employee
must be the spouse of the Employee,  unless the spouse of the Employee  consents
in  writing  to  designation  of  a  different   Beneficiary  and  such  consent
acknowledges the effect of the designation,  specifies the nonspouse Beneficiary
designated, and is witnessed by a notary public. Furthermore, such a designation
of a nonspouse  Beneficiary may be changed to a different nonspouse  Beneficiary
only if the  spouse  of the  Employee  provides  a new  consent  that  meets all
requirements of the preceding sentence.

         5.7 Distributions  Pursuant to Qualified  Domestic  Relations Orders or
Other  Court  Orders.  In the case of an  Account  that is part of an  "employee
pension  benefit plan" (as defined in ERISA),  nothing in this  Agreement  shall
prohibit distribution to any person in accordance with the terms of a "qualified
domestic  relations  order" as defined in Section 206(d) of ERISA. The Custodian
will make payments in accordance with an apparently valid order or judgment of a
court binding on the Custodian. The Account Holder will be responsible to direct
the Custodian whether or not to contest, defend against or appeal any such order
or judgment (subject to the last sentence of Section 6.5).

         5.8  Payments  to  Incompetent  Persons.  If an amount is  payable to a
person believed by the Custodian to be a minor or otherwise legally incompetent,
the Custodian may make such payment to the parent,  a legal guardian,  committee
or other legal  representative  (however or wherever  appointed),  or any person
having  control or  custody  of such  person,  and any such  payment  will fully
discharge the Custodian to the extent of the payment.

         5.9 Direct Rollovers. This Article 5.9 applies to distributions made on
or after January 1, 1993. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's election under this section,
a  distributee  may  elect,  at the time  and in the  manner  prescribed  by the
Custodian and fund transfer agent,  to have any portion of an eligible  rollover
distribution  paid  directly to an eligible  retirement  plan  specified  by the
distributee in a direct rollover. For the purpose of this section, the following
definitions apply:

                                       10

<PAGE>



          (a)     Eligible rollover distribution:  An eligible rollover is any
                  distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the
                  credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover
                  distribution does not include:  any distribution that is one
                  of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less
                  frequently than annually) made for the life (or life
                  expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint
                  life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's
                  designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years
                  or more; any distribution to the extent such distribution is
                  required to comply with the minimum distribution and
                  incidental death benefit requirements of section 401(a)(9) and
                  403(b)(10) of the Code; and the portion of any distribution
                  that is not includible in gross income.  An eligible rollover
                  distribution also does not include any other amounts that may
                  be excluded under regulations, procedures, notices, or rulings
                  interpreting the term eligible rollover distribution under
                  sections 401(a)(31), 402, or 403(b) of the Code.

          (b)     Eligible retirement plan:  An eligible retirement plan is an
                  individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of
                  the Code, an individual retirement annuity described in
                  section 408(b) of the Code, or another 403(b) annuity or
                  403(b)(7) custodial account, that accepts the distributee's
                  eligible rollover distribution.  However, in the case of an
                  eligible rollover distribution to the surviving spouse, an
                  eligible retirement plan is an individual retirement account
                  or individual retirement annuity.

          (c)     Distributee:  A  distributee  includes an employee or
                  former  employee.  In  addition,  the  employee's  or
                  former employee's surviving spouse and the employee's
                  or former  employee's  spouse or former spouse who is
                  the  alternate  payee  under  a  qualified   domestic
                  relations  order, as defined in section 414(p) of the
                  Code, are distributees with regard to the interest of
                  the spouse or former spouse.

          (d)     Direct  rollover:  A direct  rollover is a payment by
                  the plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by
                  the distributee.

          (e)     The Custodian and fund transfer agent may prescribe reasonable
                  procedures for the election of direct rollovers under this
                  section, including, but not limited to, requirements that the
                  distributee provide the Custodian with adequate information,
                  including, but not limited to: the name of the eligible
                  retirement plan to which the rollover is to be made; a
                  representation that the recipient plan is an individual
                  retirement plan or a 403(b) annuity or 403(b)(7) custodial
                  account, as appropriate; acknowledgment from the recipient
                  plan that it will accept the direct rollover; and any other
                  information necessary to make the direct rollover.



                                       11

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE VI

                    RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN

         6.1 Asset Retention.  The Custodian shall hold all contributions to the
Account  which are  received by it subject to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement  and for the  purposes  set  forth  herein.  The  Custodian  shall  be
responsible only for such assets as shall actually be received by it.

         6.2 Records and Reports. The Custodian shall file such reports with the
Internal  Revenue  Service as may be required to be filed by the Custodian  (not
including  such  reports as may be required to be filed by the  Employer  or, if
applicable,  the plan administrator) under Treasury Regulations.  The Custodian,
the  Employer,  Employee  and  Beneficiary  shall  furnish to one  another  such
information  relevant to the Account as may be required in connection  with such
reports.  The Custodian  will also furnish the Employee (or  Beneficiary  if the
Employee  is  deceased)  with  annual  or  more  frequent  reports  showing  all
transactions  in the  Account  during the  period  covered by the report and the
number  of shares of each  Fund  held in the  Account  at the end of the  period
covered by such report.  Unless the Employee (or Beneficiary,  where applicable)
sends the  Custodian  written  objection to any such report within 60 days after
its receipt, the Employee (or Beneficiary,  where applicable) shall be deemed to
have  approved  such  report,  and in such case the  Custodian  shall be forever
released and  discharged  from all liability and  accountability  to anyone with
respect to all matters and things  included  therein.  The  Custodian may seek a
judicial settlement of its accounts. In any such proceeding,  the only necessary
party thereto in addition to the Custodian shall be the Employee.

         6.3      Limitations on Responsibilities and Duties.

           (a)    The Custodian shall not be responsible in any way for the
                  timing, amount or collection of contributions provided for
                  under this Agreement, the selection of the investments for the
                  Account, the timing, amount or purpose or propriety of any
                  distribution made pursuant to Article 5 hereof, or the tax
                  consequences of any such transaction to the Employee or
                  Beneficiary, or any other action taken at the direction of the
                  Employee (or Beneficiary or Employer, where applicable).  The
                  Custodian shall not be obliged to take any action whatsoever
                  with respect to the Account except upon receipt of directions
                  in a form acceptable to the Custodian from the Employee (or
                  Beneficiary or Employer, where applicable).  The Custodian
                  shall be under no obligation to determine the accuracy or
                  propriety of any such directions and shall be fully protected
                  in acting in accordance therewith.  The Custodian will be
                  fully protected in acting in reliance upon any document, order
                  or other direction believed by it to be genuine and properly
                  given.  The Custodian will have no responsibility if the
                  Custodian does not act in the absence of proper instructions,
                  or if the Custodian believes any document, order or other
                  direction is not genuine or properly given, or on the basis of
                  any incomplete or ambiguous document, order or other direction
                  until such incompleteness or ambiguity is resolved to the
                  Custodian's satisfaction.

                                       12

<PAGE>



          (b)     The Custodian is an agent appointed by the Company to
                  perform  solely the duties  assigned  to it under the
                  Agreement, it being acknowledged that certain of such
                  duties may be performed by the Custodian in any event
                  pursuant   to   one   or   more   other   contractual
                  arrangements  or  relationships.  The Custodian shall
                  not  be  deemed  to be a  fiduciary  under  ERISA  in
                  carrying out its duties.

          (c)     The Employer shall be solely responsible for assuring
                  compliance at all times with the nondiscrimination
                  requirements of Code section 403(b)(12) (whether or not the
                  Account holds any Direct Contributions) and the Custodian
                  shall not be responsible in any way for such compliance.  If
                  the Account holds any Direct Contributions, the Employer shall
                  be solely responsible for compliance with all applicable
                  requirements of the Code (including the non-discrimination
                  requirements of Code Section 403(b)(12) applicable to such
                  Direct Contributions) and ERISA.

                  (d) The Custodian will have no liability to the Account Holder
for  transferring  any amount to a state  authority in  accordance  with any law
relating to escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property.

                  (e)      It is hereby agreed that,  subject to the  provisions
                           of  applicable  law, no person other than the Account
                           Holder  may  institute  or  maintain  any  action  or
                           proceeding against the Custodian.

         6.4 Indemnification of Custodian. The Account Holder and the successors
of the Account Holder,  including any executor or  administrator  of the Account
Holder,  shall,  to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by law,  at all times fully
indemnify and save harmless the  Custodian,  its successors and assigns from any
and  all  claims,   actions,   or  liabilities   arising  from   investments  or
distributions  made or actions taken at the direction of the Account Holder, and
from any and all other liability  whatsoever  (including  without limitation all
reasonable  expenses incurred in defending against or settlement of such claims,
actions or liabilities) which may arise in connection with this Agreement or the
Account,   except  liability  arising  from  the  gross  negligence  or  willful
misconduct of the Custodian.

         6.5  Liability  of  Custodian.  The  Custodian's  liability  under this
Agreement and matters which it contemplates  shall be limited to matters arising
from the Custodian's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Custodian shall
be entitled  to rely  conclusively  upon,  and shall be fully  protected  in any
action or  nonaction  taken in  reliance  upon,  any  written  notices  or other
communications  or  instruments  believed by the  Custodian to be genuine and to
have been properly executed.  The Custodian shall not under any circumstances be
responsible for the timing,  purpose, or propriety of any contribution or of any
distribution  made  hereunder,  nor shall the  Custodian  incur any liability or
responsibility  for any tax  imposed  on  account  of any such  contribution  or
distribution.  The  Custodian  shall not be obligated or expected to commence or
defend any legal action or proceeding in connection  with this Agreement  unless
agreed upon by the Custodian and Account  Holder,  and unless fully  indemnified
for so doing to the satisfaction of the Custodian.



                                   ARTICLE VII

                       FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE CUSTODIAN

                                       13

<PAGE>



         7.1  Compensation  of  Custodian.  In  consideration  for its  services
hereunder,  the  Custodian  shall be  entitled to receive  the  applicable  fees
specified  in the  Application.  The  Custodian  may  substitute  a revised  fee
schedule from time to time. The Custodian  shall be entitled to such  reasonable
additional  fees as it may from time to time determine for services  required of
it and not clearly  identified  on the fee schedule.  The Employee  acknowledges
that the  Custodian's  ability to earn  income on amounts  held in  non-interest
bearing  accounts  has  been  taken  into   consideration  in  establishing  the
Custodian's  fees. The Employee  agrees that the Custodian  shall be entitled to
retain any such income as a part of its agreed compensation hereunder,  and such
income shall not be or become a part of the Fund.

         7.2 Charges  Upon the  Account.  Any income taxes or other taxes of any
kind whatsoever that may be levied or assessed upon or in respect of the Account
(including  any transfer  taxes  incurred in connection  with the investment and
reinvestment  of  Account  assets),  expenses,  fees  and  administrative  costs
incurred by the Custodian in the  performance of its duties  (including fees for
legal services rendered to the Custodian),  and the Custodian's  compensation as
determined  under  Article 7.1 shall  constitute a charge upon the assets of the
Account.  At the Custodian's  option, such fees, taxes or expenses shall be paid
from the Account or by the Account Holder.  The Custodian may redeem Fund shares
and use the proceeds of redemption to pay such fees, taxes or expenses,  and the
Custodian will have no liability for loss of income or  appreciation as a result
of the Custodian's selection of Fund shares to be redeemed under this sentence.



                                  ARTICLE VIII

                       RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF CUSTODIAN

         8.1  Resignation  or Removal.  The  Custodian may resign at any time by
written  notice to the Company  which shall be effective 30 days after  delivery
thereof.  The Company shall appoint a successor  Custodian who shall accept such
appointment  in a writing  provided to the Custodian  and Account  Holder within
such 30-day period. The Custodian may be removed by the Company at any time upon
30 days written notice to the Custodian,  provided that the Company designates a
successor  Custodian that accepts such  appointment by a writing provided to the
Account  Holder  and  the  Custodian  within  such  30-day  period.   Upon  such
resignation or removal,  the Custodian  shall transfer and deliver all assets of
the  Account  and  copies  of all  records  relative  thereto  to the  successor
Custodian  appointed by the Company,  provided such  successor  Custodian has in
writing accepted this Agreement as it is or may be then amended. Notwithstanding
the  foregoing,  the  Custodian is authorized to reserve such sum of money as it
may deem  advisable  for  payment  of all of its fees,  compensation,  costs and
expenses,  or for  payment of any other  liability  constituting  a charge on or
against  the assets of the  Account or on or against  the  Custodian,  and where
necessary  may  liquidate  shares in the Account for such payments in accordance
with the last  sentence of Section 7.2.  Any balance of such  reserve  remaining
after  the  payment  of all  such  items  shall  be paid  over to the  successor
Custodian.

         8.2 Liability for  Successor's  Acts.  Upon its resignation or removal,
the  Custodian  shall not be liable for the acts or omissions  of any  successor
Custodian.  Upon the transfer of assets of the Account to a successor Custodian,
the resigning or removed  Custodian  shall be relieved of all further  liability
with respect to this Agreement, the Account and the assets thereof.



                                   ARTICLE IX

                                       14

<PAGE>



                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         9.1      Amendment of Agreement.

                  (a)      The Account Holder,  Employer,  and Custodian  hereby
                           delegate  to the  Company  the  power to  amend  this
                           Agreement,   including  any   retroactive   amendment
                           necessary for the purpose of conforming the Agreement
                           to the  requirements  of the Code.  The Company shall
                           deliver  written  notice of any such amendment to the
                           Account  Holder,  Custodian  and any  Employer who is
                           party to this Agreement.

                  (b) No amendment to this Agreement shall cause or permit:

            any part of the assets of the Account to be used for, or
diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the
Employee or Beneficiary, except with regard to payment of the expenses
                  of  the  Custodian  and  the  Company  as  authorized  by  the
provisions  of this  Agreement  and except to the extent  required  by law;  the
Employee to be deprived of any accrued benefits under this Agreement unless such
amendment is required for the purpose of conforming the Agreement to
the requirements of any law, government regulation or ruling;
or the imposition of any additional duties or obligations on
the Custodian without its written consent.

         9.2  Termination of Agreement.  This Agreement shall terminate when all
assets in the Account have been distributed or otherwise  transferred out of the
Account.  Upon completion of such distribution,  the Custodian shall be released
from all  further  liability  with  respect to all amounts so paid to the extent
permitted  by  applicable  law.  However,   the  provisions  of  this  Agreement
protecting the Custodian or limiting the liability of the  Custodian,  including
specifically  but without  implied  limitation  Section  6.4,  will  survive the
termination of this Agreement.



                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         10.1   Retirement  Plan   Provisions   Shall  Control.   In  the  event
contributions  are being made to the Account  pursuant to any retirement plan or
program  sponsored  by the  Employer,  to the  extent  any  provisions  of  this
Agreement are inconsistent with such retirement plan or program,  the provisions
of the Employer's retirement plan or program shall control, provided:

                  (a)      such provisions are not contrary to the rules and 
                           regulations
                           under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code; and

                  (b)      such   provisions   do  not  impose  any   additional
                           responsibilities  or duties on the Custodian  without
                           its prior  written  consent.  The  Employer  shall be
                           responsible  for  delivering  the most recent copy of
                           any such retirement plan or program to the Custodian.

         10.2 ERISA Requirements.  If this Agreement is determined to constitute
part of an "employee  benefit  plan"  established  or maintained by the Employer
subject to Title I of ERISA,  then the Employer shall be solely  responsible for
assuring such employee  benefit plan complies at all times with the requirements
of Title I of ERISA. In such a case, the Employer (or a person designated by the
Employer) will be the "plan administrator" of such employee benefit plan for

                                       15

<PAGE>


purposes of ERISA.  Neither  the  Custodian  nor the  Company  will be the "plan
administrator" of such employee benefit plan for purposes of ERISA.

         10.3  Exclusive  Benefit.  The assets of the Account  shall not be used
for,  or  diverted  to,  purposes  other than for the  exclusive  benefit of the
Employee  or his or her  Beneficiary.  The  assets of the  Account  shall not be
subject to the claims of the creditors of the Employer.

         10.4  Nonforfeitability  and  Nontransferability.  The  interest of the
Employee in the balance of the Account shall at all times be nonforfeitable  and
nontransferable.  All rights under this Agreement are enforceable  solely by the
Employee or his or her Beneficiary, or any duly authorized representative of the
Employee or Beneficiary.

         10.5  Nonalienation.  The assets of the Account shall not be subject in
any manner to anticipation,  alienation,  sale,  transfer,  assignment,  pledge,
encumbrance,  charge, attachment,  garnishment,  execution, or levy of any kind,
either  voluntary or  involuntary,  except with regard to payment of expenses of
the Custodian as authorized by the provisions of the Agreement and except to the
extent required by law.

         10.6 Notices. Any notice,  accounting, or other communication which the
Custodian  may give to the Employer or the Account  Holder shall be deemed given
when mailed to the Employee at the latest  address  which has been  furnished to
the Custodian.  Any notice or other  communication which the Employer or Account
Holder may give to the Custodian shall not become effective until actual receipt
of said notice by the Custodian.

         10.7  Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance  with the laws of  Missouri,  to the extent not  preempted by Federal
law. No provision  of this  Agreement  shall be  construed to conflict  with any
provision of an Internal Revenue Service regulation,  ruling,  release, or other
order  which  affects,  or could  affect,  the  terms of this  Agreement  or its
compliance with the requirements of Section 403(b)(7) of the Code.

         The Account  Holder (and, if applicable,  the Employer)  agree that any
legal action brought against the Custodian by any other party must be brought in
a state or federal court located in the judicial district in which the principal
offices of the Custodian are located.

                                       16


                           Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.
                         By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS


                                       OF


                            BULL & BEAR FUNDS I, INC.


                             A MARYLAND CORPORATION



                                DECEMBER 11, 1997


<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE I - NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF OFFICES AND SEAL...............  1
         Section 1.01.  Name................................................  1
         Section 1.02.  Principal Offices...................................  1
         Section 1.03.  Seal................................................  1

ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS...................................................  1
         Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.....................................  1
         Section 2.02.  Special Meetings....................................  1
         Section 2.03.  Notice of Meetings..................................  1
         Section 2.04.  Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings..................  1
         Section 2.05.  Voting and Inspectors...............................  1
         Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.................................  2
         Section 2.07.  Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders...............  2
         Section 2.08.  Action Without Meeting..............................  2

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS............................................  2
         Section 3.01.  General Powers......................................  2
         Section 3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.......................  2
         Section 3.03.  Power to Declare Dividends..........................  2
         Section 3.04.  Number and Term of Directors........................  3
         Section 3.05.  Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships...........  3
         Section 3.06.  Removal.............................................  3
         Section 3.07.  Regular Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.08.  Special Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.09.  Waiver of Notice....................................  3
         Section 3.10.  Quorum and Voting...................................  3
         Section 3.11.  Action Without a Meeting............................  4
         Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors...........................  4
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES.....................................................  4
         Section 4.01.  Organization........................................  4
         Section 4.02.  Powers of the Executive Committee...................  4
         Section 4.03.  Powers of Other Committees of the Board of Directors  4
         Section 4.04.  Proceedings and Quorum..............................  4
         Section 4.05.  Other Committees....................................  4

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS........................................................  4
         Section 5.01.  Officers............................................  4
         Section 5.02.  Election, Tenure and Qualifications.................  4
         Section 5.03.  Vacancies and Newly Created Offices.................  4
         Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.............................  5
         Section 5.05.  Chairman of the Board...............................  5
         Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board..........................  5
         Section 5.07.  President, Co-President.............................  5
         Section 5.08.  Vice President......................................  5
         Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers..................  5
         Section 5.10.  Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.................  5
         Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers................................  5
         Section 5.12.  Remuneration........................................  5
         Section 5.13.  Surety Bonds........................................  6

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES.................  6
         Section 6.01.  General.............................................  6
         Section 6.02.  Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc..........................  6
         Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities................................  6

ARTICLE VII - CAPITAL STOCK.................................................  6
         Section 7.01.  Certificates of Stock...............................  6
         Section 7.02.  Transfer of Shares..................................  6
         Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and Registrars......................  6
         Section 7.04.  Fixing of Record Date...............................  7
         Section 7.05.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates..............  7

ARTICLE VIII - CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS............................  7
         Section 8.01.  Validity of Contract or Transactions................  7
         Section 8.02.  Dealings............................................  7


                                        i

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT.....................................  7
         Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.........................................  7
         Section 9.02.  Accountant..........................................  7

ARTICLE X - CUSTODY OF SECURITIES...........................................  8
         Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian..........................  8
         Section 10.02.  Termination of Custodian Agreement.................  8
         Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian Contract...................  8
         Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.................................  8

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE..................................  8
         Section 11.01.  Indemnification of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  8
         Section 11.02.  Insurance of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  9
         Section 11.03.  Non-exclusivity....................................  9
         Section 11.04.  Amendment..........................................  9

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS....................................................  9
         Section 12.01.  General............................................  9
         Section 12.02.  By Stockholders Only...............................  9


                                       ii

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                       OF

                            BULL & BEAR FUNDS I, INC.

                            (A MARYLAND CORPORATION)


                                    ARTICLE I
                        NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF
                                OFFICES AND SEAL


Section 1.01.  Name.  The name of the Corporation is Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.
                      

Section 1.02.  Principal Offices. The principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland shall be located in Baltimore,  Maryland. The Corporation may,
in addition, establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as
the board of directors may, from time to time, determine.

Section 1.03.  Seal. The corporate seal of the Corporation  shall consist of two
(2) concentric circles, between which shall be the name of the Corporation,  and
in the center shall be inscribed  the year of its  incorporation,  and the words
"Corporate  Seal." The form of the seal shall be  subject to  alteration  by the
board of  directors  and the seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be
impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced. Any officer or director
of the  Corporation  shall have  authority  to affix the  corporate  seal of the
Corporation to any document requiring the same.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.  There shall be no stockholders' meetings for 
the election of directors and the transaction of other proper business except as
required by law or as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.02.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called
at any time by the chairman of the board or the president or a co-president  and
shall be held at such  time and  place as may be  stated  in the  notice  of the
meeting.  The secretary shall call a special meeting of the  stockholders on the
written request of stockholders  entitled to cast at least a majority of all the
votes  entitled to be cast at the meeting.  Such request shall state the purpose
of such  meeting and the matters  proposed to be acted on thereat,  and no other
business shall be transacted at any such special  meeting.  The secretary  shall
inform such  stockholders  of the  reasonably  estimated  costs of preparing and
mailing the notice of the meeting,  and upon payment to the  Corporation of such
costs,  the secretary shall give not less than ten nor more than 90 days' notice
of the time,  place and purpose of the meeting in the manner provided in Section
2.03 of this Article II.

Section 2.03. Notice of Meetings. The secretary shall cause notice of the place,
date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise  required by
law,  the  purpose or  purposes  for which the  meeting is called,  to be served
personally or to be mailed,  postage prepaid,  not less than 10 nor more than 90
days before the date of the  meeting,  to each  stockholder  entitled to vote at
such meeting at his address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation  at
the time of such mailing.  Notice shall be deemed to be given when  deposited in
the United States mail addressed to the stockholders as aforesaid.

Notice of any  stockholders'  meeting need not be given to any  stockholder  who
shall sign a written  waiver of such notice  whether before or after the time of
such meeting,  which waiver shall be filed with the records of such meeting,  or
to any stockholder who is present at such meeting in person or by proxy.  Notice
of adjournment of a  stockholders'  meeting to another time or place need not be
given if such time and place are announced at the meeting.

Irregularities  in the notice of any meeting to, or the  nonreceipt  of any such
notice by, any of the  stockholders  shall not invalidate  any action  otherwise
properly taken by or at any such meeting.

Section  2.04.  Quorum  and  Adjournment  of  Meetings.   The  presence  at  any
stockholders'  meeting, in person or by proxy, of stockholders  entitled to cast
one-third  of all votes  entitled  to be cast  thereat  shall be  necessary  and
sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that
with respect to any matter to be voted upon separately by any Series (as defined
in the Articles of  Incorporation) or class of shares, a quorum shall consist of
the holders of one-third of the shares of that Series or class  outstanding  and
entitled to vote on the matter.  In the  absence of a quorum,  the  stockholders
present in person or by proxy or, if no stockholder  entitled to vote is present
in person  or by proxy,  any  officer  present  entitled  to  preside  or act as
secretary of such meeting may adjourn the meeting  without  determining the date
of the new  meeting or from time to time  without  further  notice to a date not
more than 120 days after the original  record date. Any business that might have
been transacted at the meeting  originally  called may be transacted at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


Section  2.05.  Voting and  Inspectors.  At every  stockholders'  meeting,  each
stockholder  shall be entitled to one vote for each share and a fractional  vote
for each  fraction  of a share of stock of the  Corporation  validly  issued and
outstanding  and  standing  in his name on the books of the  Corporation  on the
record date fixed in accordance with Section 7.04 hereof, either in person or by
proxy appointed by instrument in writing  subscribed by such  stockholder or his
duly authorized attorney, except that no shares held by the Corporation shall be
entitled to a vote; provided, however, that (a) as to any matter with respect to
which a separate vote of any series is required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended,  or by the Maryland General  Corporation Law, such requirement
as to a separate  vote by that  series  shall  apply;  (b) in the event that the
separate vote requirements referred to in (a) above apply with respect to one or
more  series,  then,  subject to (c) below,  the shares of all other such one or
more  series  shall  vote as a single  series;  and (c) as to any  matter  which
affects the interest of only a particular series,  only the holders of shares of
the one or more affected series shall be entitled to vote.

If no record  date has been  fixed,  the record  date for the  determination  of
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be the later of the close of business on the day on which  notice of the meeting
is mailed or the 30th day  before  the  meeting,  or, if notice is waived by all
stockholders,  at the close of  business  on the 11th day  preceding  the day on
which the meeting is held.

Except as otherwise  specifically  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation or
these  By-laws or as required by  provisions  of the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended,  all matters shall be decided by a vote of the majority of the
votes validly cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  The vote upon any
question shall be by ballot  whenever  requested by any person entitled to vote,
but, unless such a request is made,  voting may be conducted in any way approved
by the meeting.

At any meeting at which there is an election of  directors,  the chairman of the
meeting may appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an oath
or affirmation  to execute  faithfully the duties of inspectors at such election
with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,  and shall,
after the  election,  make a  certificate  of the result of the vote  taken.  No
candidate for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector.

Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.  The right to vote by proxy shall exist only
if the  instrument  authorizing  such proxy to act shall have been signed by the
stockholder  or by  his  duly  authorized  attorney.  Unless  a  proxy  provides
otherwise, it shall not be valid more than 11 months after its date. All proxies
shall be delivered to the secretary of the  Corporation  or to the person acting
as secretary of the meeting  before being voted,  who shall decide all questions
concerning  qualification of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance
or rejection of votes.  If  inspectors  of election  have been  appointed by the
chairman of the meeting,  such  inspectors  shall decide all such  questions.  A
proxy with  respect to stock  held in the name of two or more  persons  shall be
valid if  executed  by one of them  unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy
the Corporation  receives from any one of them a specific  written notice to the
contrary  and a copy of the  instrument  or  order  which so  provides.  A proxy
purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid
unless challenged at or prior to its exercise.

Section 2.07. Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the
secretary or  assistant  secretary  of the  Corporation  to cause an original or
duplicate   stock  ledger   containing  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the
stockholders  and the  number  of  shares  held  by  them,  respectively,  to be
maintained at the office of the Corporation's  transfer agent. Such stock ledger
may be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written
form within a reasonable  time for visual  inspection.  Any one or more persons,
each of whom has been a stockholder of record of the  Corporation  for more than
six months next preceding  such request,  who owns in the aggregate five percent
or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation,  may submit (unless
the Corporation at the time of the request maintains a duplicate stock ledger at
its  principal  office in  Maryland)  a written  request  to any  officer of the
Corporation or its resident agent in Maryland for a list of the  stockholders of
the  Corporation.  Within 20 days after such a request,  there shall be prepared
and filed at the  Corporation's  principal  office in Maryland a list containing
the names and addresses of all stockholders of the Corporation and the number of
shares of each  class  held by each  stockholder,  certified  as  correct  by an
officer of the Corporation, by its stock transfer agent, or by its registrar.

Section 2.08.  Action Without  Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted to be
taken by  stockholders  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  may be taken  without a
meeting if (a) all  stockholders  entitled to vote on the matter  consent to the
action in writing,  (b) all  stockholders  entitled to notice of the meeting but
not  entitled to vote at it sign a written  waiver of any right to dissent,  and
(c) the  consents  and  waivers  are filed with the  records of the  meetings of
stockholders.  Such  consent  shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at the
meeting.


                                   ARTICLE III
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. General Powers.  Except as otherwise provided by operation of law,
by the Articles of Incorporation,  or by these By-laws,  the property,  business
and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed under the direction of and all
the powers of the  Corporation  shall be exercised by or under  authority of its
board of directors.

                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

Section  3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.  The board of directors  may from
time  to  time  issue  and  sell or  cause  to be  issued  and  sold  any of the
Corporation's  authorized  shares to such persons and for such  consideration as
the board of directors  shall deem  advisable,  subject to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation.

Section 3.03. Power to Declare Dividends.  The board of directors,  from time to
time as they may deem advisable, may declare and pay dividends in stock, cash or
other property of the Corporation, out of any source available for dividends, to
the  stockholders   according  to  their  respective  rights  and  interests  in
accordance  with the provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation.  The board of
directors may prescribe from time to time that dividends declared may be payable
at the  election  of any of the  stockholders  (exercisable  before or after the
declaration  of the dividend),  either in cash or in shares of the  Corporation,
provided that the sum of the cash dividend  actually paid to any stockholder and
the asset value of the shares received  (determined as of such time as the board
of directors shall have prescribed,  pursuant to the Articles of  Incorporation,
with respect to shares sold on the date of such  election)  shall not exceed the
full amount of cash to which the stockholder  would be entitled if he elected to
receive only cash.  The board of directors  shall cause to be  accompanied  by a
written  statement any dividend  payment  wholly or partly from any source other
than:

         (a) the Corporation's  accumulated undistributed net income (determined
         in  accordance  with  good  accounting   practice  and  the  rules  and
         regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission  then in effect)
         and  not  including  profits  or  losses  realized  upon  the  sale  of
         securities or other properties; or

         (b) the  Corporation's  net  income so  determined  for the  current or
         preceding fiscal year.

Such statement shall  adequately  disclose the source or sources of such payment
and the basis of  calculation,  and shall be in such form as the  Securities and
Exchange Commission may prescribe.

Section  3.04.  Number and Term of  Directors.  Except for the initial  board of
directors, the board of directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more
than fifteen directors, as specified by a resolution of a majority of the entire
board of directors and at least one member of the board of directors  shall be a
person who is not an  "interested  person" of the  Corporation,  as that term is
defined in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended.  All other directors
may be interested  persons of the  Corporation  if the  requirements  of Section
10(d)  of the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as  amended,  are  met by the
Corporation  and its investment  manager.  Each director shall hold office until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier  death,  resignation
or removal.

All acts done at any  meeting  of the  directors  or by any  person  acting as a
director,  so  long as his  successor  shall  not  have  been  duly  elected  or
appointed,  shall,  notwithstanding that it be afterwards  discovered that there
was some defect in the election of the  directors or of such person  acting as a
director  or that they or any of them were  disqualified,  be as valid as if the
directors  or such other  person,  as the case may be, had been duly elected and
were or was qualified to be directors or a director of the Corporation.

Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 3.05. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.  If any vacancies shall
occur in the board of  directors  by reason of death,  resignation,  removal  or
otherwise,  or if the  authorized  number of directors  shall be increased,  the
directors  then in office  shall  continue to act,  and such  vacancies  (if not
previously  filled  by the  stockholders)  may be filled  by a  majority  of the
directors  then in  office,  although  less than a quorum,  except  that a newly
created  directorship  may be filled only by a majority vote of the entire board
of directors; provided, however, that immediately after filling such vacancy, at
least  two-thirds  (2/3) of the  directors  then holding  office shall have been
elected to such office by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that
at any  time,  other  than the time  preceding  the first  annual  stockholders'
meeting, less than a majority of the directors of the Corporation holding office
at that time were  elected by the  stockholders,  a meeting of the  stockholders
shall be held  promptly  and in any  event  within  60 days for the  purpose  of
electing  directors  to fill any existing  vacancies in the board of  directors,
unless the Securities and Exchange Commission shall by order extend such period.

Section 3.06.  Removal.  At any  stockholders'  meeting duly called,  provided a
quorum is present,  the stockholders may remove any director from office (either
with or  without  cause)  by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of all votes
represented at the meeting,  and at the same meeting a duly qualified  successor
or successors  may be elected to fill any resulting  vacancies by a plurality of
the votes validly cast.

Section  3.07.  Regular  Meetings.  The  meeting of the board of  directors  for
choosing officers and transacting other proper business, and all other meetings,
shall be held at such time and place,  within or outside the state of  Maryland,
as the board may  determine and as provided by  resolution.  Except as otherwise
provided  in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as  amended,  notice of such
meetings need not be given,  following the annual  meeting of  stockholders,  if
any,  provided  that notice of any change in the time or place of such  meetings
shall be sent promptly to each director not present at the meeting at which such
change was made, in the manner provided for notice of special  meetings.  Except
as otherwise  provided  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended,
members  of the board of  directors  or any  committee  designated  thereby  may
participate  in a meeting of such board or  committee  by means of a  conference
telephone or similar communications equipment that allows

                                      - 3 -

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

all  persons  participating  in the meeting to hear each other at the same time;
and  participation  by such  means  shall  constitute  presence  in  person at a
meeting.

Section 3.08. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall
be held  whenever  called by the  chairman  of the board or the  president  or a
co-president  (or, in the absence or  disability of the chairman of the board or
the  president  or a  co-president,  by any  officer  or  director,  as  they so
designate)  at the time and place  (within or outside of the State of  Maryland)
specified in the  respective  notice or waivers of notice of such  meetings.  At
least three days before the day on which a special meeting is to be held, notice
of special  meetings,  stating  the time and place,  shall be (a) mailed to each
director at his  residence or regular  place of business or (b) delivered to him
personally  or  transmitted  to him  by  telegraph,  telefax,  telex,  cable  or
wireless.

Section  3.09.  Waiver of Notice.  No notice of any meeting need be given to any
director  who is present at the meeting or who waives  notice of such meeting in
writing (which waiver shall be filed with the records of such  meeting),  either
before or after the time of the meeting.

Section 3.10. Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the board of directors,  the
presence of one-half of the number of directors then in office shall  constitute
a quorum for the  transaction of business,  provided that there shall be present
at least two directors.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors
present may  adjourn the  meeting,  from time to time,  until a quorum  shall be
present. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum  is  present  shall be the  action of the  board of  directors,  unless
concurrence  of a greater  proportion is required for such action by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

Section  3.11.  Action  Without a Meeting.  Except as otherwise  provided in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the board of  directors or of any  committee  thereof
may be taken without a meeting if a written  consent to such action is signed by
all  members  of the board or of such  committee,  as the case may be,  and such
written  consent  is filed  with the  minutes  of  proceedings  of the  board or
committee.

Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors.  Directors may receive such 
compensation for their services as may from time to time be determined by 
resolution of the board of directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COMMITTEES

Section 4.01. Organization. By resolution adopted by the board of directors, the
board may designate one or more committees of the board of directors,  including
an Executive Committee,  each consisting of at least two directors.  Each member
of a committee  shall be a director and shall hold  committee  membership at the
pleasure of the board.  The chairman of the board,  if any, shall be a member of
the Executive Committee. The board of directors shall have the power at any time
to  change  the  members  of  such  committees  and  to  fill  vacancies  in the
committees.

Section 4.02. Powers of the Executive  Committee.  Unless otherwise  provided by
resolution  of the board of  directors,  when the board of  directors  is not in
session the  Executive  Committee  shall have and may exercise all powers of the
board  of  directors  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation that may lawfully be exercised by an Executive  Committee except the
power to declare a dividend or distribution on stock,  authorize the issuance of
stock,  recommend to stockholders any action requiring  stockholders'  approval,
amend these By-laws, approve any merger or share exchange which does not require
stockholder  approval or approve or terminate any contract  with an  "investment
adviser"  or  "principal  underwriter,"  as  those  terms  are  defined  in  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to take any other action required
by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  to be taken by the board of
directors.  Notwithstanding  the above,  such Executive  Committee may make such
dividend  calculations  and  payments as are  consistent  with  applicable  law,
including Maryland corporate law.

Section  4.03.  Powers of Other  Committees  of the Board of  Directors.  To the
extent  provided by  resolution of the board,  other  committees of the board of
directors  shall have and may  exercise  any of the powers that may  lawfully be
granted to the Executive Committee.

Section  4.04.  Proceedings  and  Quorum.  In  the  absence  of  an  appropriate
resolution  of the board of directors,  each  committee may adopt such rules and
regulations  governing its proceedings,  quorum and manner of acting as it shall
deem proper and  desirable,  provided  that a quorum  shall not be less than two
directors.  In the event any member of any committee is absent from any meeting,
the members  thereof  present at the meeting,  whether or not they  constitute a
quorum,  may appoint a member of the board of  directors  to act in the place of
such absent member.

Section  4.05.  Other  Committees.  The board of  directors  may  appoint  other
committees,  each consisting of one or more persons,  who need not be directors.
Each such  committee  shall have such powers and  perform  such duties as may be
assigned  to it from  time to time by the  board of  directors,  but  shall  not
exercise  any  power  which  may  lawfully  be  exercised  only by the  board of
directors or a committee thereof.

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<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Officers.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a president or
co-presidents,  a secretary,  and a treasurer,  and may include one or more vice
presidents   (including   executive  and  senior  vice  presidents),   assistant
secretaries or assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof. The board of directors
may, but shall not be required  to,  elect a chairman  and vice  chairman of the
board.

Section  5.02.  Election,  Tenure  and  Qualifications.   The  officers  of  the
Corporation  (except those  appointed  pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof) shall be
elected  by the board of  directors  at its  first  meeting  or such  subsequent
meetings as shall be held prior to its first annual  meeting,  and thereafter at
regular board  meetings,  as required by applicable law. If any officers are not
elected at any annual  meeting,  such officers may be elected at any  subsequent
meetings of the board.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Article V, each
officer  elected by the board of  directors  shall hold office  until his or her
successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any person may hold one or more
offices of the Corporation  except that no one person may serve  concurrently as
both the president or a co-president and vice president. A person who holds more
than one  office in the  Corporation  may not act in more than one  capacity  to
execute,  acknowledge,  or verify an instrument  required by law to be executed,
acknowledged,  or verified by more than one  officer.  The chairman of the board
shall be chosen from among the  directors of the  Corporation  and may hold such
office only so long as he continues to be a director. No other officer need be a
director.

Section 5.03. Vacancies and Newly Created Offices. If any vacancy shall occur in
any office by reason of death, resignation,  removal,  disqualification or other
cause,  or if any new office shall be created,  such  vacancies or newly created
offices  may be filled by the  chairman  of the board at any  meeting or, in the
case of any office created pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof,  by any officer upon
whom such power shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.  At any meeting called for such purpose,
the  Executive  Committee  may remove any officer  from office  (either  with or
without cause) by the affirmative  vote, given at the meeting,  of a majority of
the members of the Committee.  Any officer may resign from office at any time by
delivering a written  resignation to the board of directors,  the president or a
co-president,  the  secretary,  or any  assistant  secretary.  Unless  otherwise
specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 5.05. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if there be such
an officer, shall be the senior officer of the Corporation, shall preside at all
stockholders'  meetings and at all meetings of the board of directors  and shall
be ex officio a member of all  committees  of the board of  directors.  He shall
have such other  powers and perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the board of directors.

Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board.  The board of directors may from time
to time elect a vice chairman who shall have such powers and perform such duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors,  chairman
of the board or the  president or a  co-president.  At the request of, or in the
absence or in the event of the disability of the chairman of the board, the vice
chairman  may  perform  all the  duties  of the  chairman  of the  board  or the
president or a  co-president  and, when so acting,  shall have all the powers of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon such respective officers.

Section 5.07. President,  Co-President.  The president or co-presidents shall be
the chief executive officer or co-chief executive officers,  as the case may be,
of the  Corporation  and,  in the  absence of the  chairman of the board or vice
chairman or if no chairman of the board or vice chairman has been chosen,  shall
preside  at all  stockholders'  meetings  and at all  meetings  of the  board of
directors and shall in general exercise the powers and perform the duties of the
chairman of the board. Subject to the supervision of the board of directors, the
president  or the  co-presidents  shall  have  general  charge of the  business,
affairs  and  property  of the  Corporation  and  general  supervision  over its
officers,  employees and agents.  Except as the board of directors may otherwise
order, the president or a co-president may sign in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation  all deeds,  bonds,  contracts,  or  agreements.  The president or a
co-president  shall  exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.

Section 5.08. Vice President. The board of directors may from time to time elect
one or more vice presidents (including executive and senior vice presidents) who
shall  have such  powers  and  perform  such  duties as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the board of directors or the  president or a  co-president.
At the request of, or in the absence or in the event of the  disability  of, the
president or both  co-presidents,  the vice  president  (or, if there are two or
more vice presidents, then the senior of the vice presidents present and able to
act) may perform all the duties of the president or  co-presidents  and, when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the president or co-presidents.

Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant  Treasurers.  The treasurer  shall be the
chief accounting officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge of the
finances and books of account of the Corporation.  The treasurer shall render to
the board of  directors,  whenever  directed  by the  board,  an  account of the
financial condition of the Corporation and of all transactions as treasurer; and
as soon as possible after the close of

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

each  financial  year he shall make and submit to the board of  directors a like
report  for such  financial  year.  The  treasurer  shall  cause to be  prepared
annually  a full and  complete  statement  of the  affairs  of the  Corporation,
including  a balance  sheet and a  financial  statement  of  operations  for the
preceding  fiscal  year,  which  shall be  submitted  at the  annual  meeting of
stockholders  (when,  and if,  such  meeting  is held) and filed  within 20 days
thereafter at the principal  office of the Corporation in the state of Maryland,
except  that for any year when an annual  meeting of  stockholders  is not held,
such statement of affairs shall be filed at the  Corporation's  principal office
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.  The  treasurer  shall perform
all acts  incidental to the office of  treasurer,  subject to the control of the
board of directors.

Any  assistant  treasurer  may  perform  such  duties  of the  treasurer  as the
treasurer  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
treasurer, may perform all the duties of the treasurer.

Section 5.10. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend to
the giving and serving of all notices of the  Corporation  and shall  record all
proceedings  of the meetings of the  stockholders  and  directors in books to be
kept for that purpose.  The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the
Corporation,  and shall have  responsibility for the records of the Corporation,
including  the stock  books  and such  other  books  and  papers as the board of
directors may direct and such books,  reports,  certificates and other documents
required by law to be kept, all of which shall at all  reasonable  times be open
to  inspection by any  director.  The secretary  shall perform such other duties
which appertain to this office or as may be required by the board of directors.

Any  assistant  secretary  may  perform  such  duties  of the  secretary  as the
secretary  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
secretary, may perform all the duties of the secretary.

Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers. The chairman of the board from time to time
may appoint such other officers or agents as he may deem advisable, each of whom
shall have such title,  hold office for such  period,  have such  authority  and
perform such duties as the board of directors may determine. The chairman of the
board from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or agents the power
to  appoint  any such  subordinate  officers  or agents and to  prescribe  their
respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any officer or agent
appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.11 may be removed,
either with or without  cause,  by any  officer  upon whom such power of removal
shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.12.  Remuneration.  The salaries or other compensation of the officers
of the  Corporation  shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board
of directors,  except that the board of directors may by resolution  delegate to
any  person  or  group  of  persons  the  power  to fix the  salaries  or  other
compensation of any subordinate  officers or agents appointed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof.

Section 5.13.  Surety  Bonds.  The board of directors may require any officer or
agent of the Corporation to execute a bond (including,  without limitation,  any
bond required by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  and the rules
and   regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission   promulgated
thereunder)  to the  Corporation in such sum and with such surety or sureties as
the board of directors may determine,  conditioned upon the faithful performance
of his or her duties to the Corporation, including responsibility for negligence
and for the accounting of any of the Corporation's property, funds or securities
that may come into his hands.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                 EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES

Section 6.01.  General.  Subject to the provisions of Sections  5.07,  6.02, and
7.03 hereof, all deeds, documents,  transfers,  contracts,  agreements and other
instruments  requiring  execution  by the  Corporation  shall be  signed  by the
president or a co-president,  a vice president  (including  executive and senior
vice presidents), chairman or vice chairman and by the treasurer or secretary or
an assistant treasurer or an assistant  secretary,  or as the board of directors
may  otherwise,  from time to time,  authorize.  Any such  authorization  may be
general or confined to specific instances.

Section 6.02.  Checks,  Notes,  Drafts,  Etc. So long as the  Corporation  shall
employ  a  custodian  to  keep  custody  of  the  cash  and  securities  of  the
Corporation,  all checks and drafts for the payment of money by the  Corporation
may be  signed  in the  name of the  Corporation  by the  custodian.  Except  as
otherwise  authorized by the board of directors,  all requisitions or orders for
the  assignment  of  securities  standing  in the name of the  custodian  or its
nominee, or for the execution of powers to transfer the same, shall be signed in
the name of the  Corporation  by any two of the  following:  the  president or a
co-president,  vice president  (including executive and senior vice presidents),
treasurer or an assistant treasurer, provided that no one person may sign in the
capacity of two such officers. Promissory notes, checks or drafts payable to the
Corporation  may be endorsed  only to the order of the  custodian or its nominee
and  only  by any  two of the  following:  the  treasurer,  the  president  or a
co-president,  a vice president (including executive and senior vice presidents)
or by such  other  person  or  persons  as shall be  authorized  by the board of
directors,  provided  that no one  person may sign in the  capacity  of two such
officers.

Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities.  Unless otherwise ordered by the board of 
directors, the president or a co-president, or any vice president (including 
executive and senior vice presidents) shall have full power and

                                      - 6 -

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc.  
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

authority on behalf of the  Corporation  to attend and to act and to vote, or in
the name of the  Corporation  to  execute  proxies  to vote,  at any  meeting of
stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock. At any such
meeting such officer  shall possess and may exercise (in person or by proxy) any
and all rights,  powers and privileges  incident to the ownership of such stock.
The board of directors  may by  resolution  from time to time confer like powers
upon any other  person or  persons in  accordance  with the laws of the State of
Maryland.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

Section 7.01.  Certificates  of Stock.  The interest of each  stockholder of the
Corporation  may be, but shall not be required to be,  evidenced by certificates
for  shares  of  stock in such  form  not  inconsistent  with  the  Articles  of
Incorporation  as the board of  directors  may from time to time  authorize.  No
certificate shall be valid unless it is signed in the name of the Corporation by
a president or a  co-president  or a vice  president  and  countersigned  by the
secretary or an assistant  secretary or the treasurer or an assistant  treasurer
of the  Corporation  and sealed with the seal of the  Corporation,  or bears the
facsimile  signatures of such officers and a facsimile of such seal. In case any
officer who shall have signed any such certificate, or whose facsimile signature
has been placed  thereon,  shall cease to be such an officer  (because of death,
resignation or otherwise)  before such  certificate is issued,  such certificate
may be issued and  delivered  by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he
were such officer at the date of issue.

The number of each certificate issued, the name and address of the person owning
the  shares  represented  thereby,  the  number of such  shares  and the date of
issuance  shall be entered upon the stock ledger of the  Corporation at the time
of issuance.

Every certificate exchanged, surrendered for redemption or otherwise returned to
the Corporation shall be marked "canceled" with the date of cancellation.

Section  7.02.   Transfer  of  Shares.   Shares  of  the  Corporation  shall  be
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof (in
person or by his duly  authorized  attorney  or legal  representative)  (a) if a
certificate or  certificates  have been issued,  upon surrender duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with such proof of
the  authenticity  of  the  signature  as the  Corporation  or  its  agents  may
reasonably  require,  or (b) as otherwise  prescribed by the board of directors.
Except as  otherwise  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation,  the shares of
stock of the Corporation may be freely  transferred,  subject to the charging of
customary  transfer  fees,  and the board of directors  may,  from time to time,
adopt  rules and  regulations  with  reference  to the method of transfer of the
shares of stock of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall be entitled to treat
the holder of record of any share of stock as the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes,  and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal,  equitable
or other  claim or  interest  in such  share  on the part of any  other  person,
whether  or not it  shall  have  express  or other  notice  thereof,  except  as
otherwise expressly provided by law or the statutes of the State of Maryland.

Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and  Registrars.  The board of directors may from
time to time appoint or remove  transfer  agents or  registrars of transfers for
shares of stock of the  Corporation,  and it may appoint the same person as both
transfer  agent  and  registrar.  Upon  any  such  appointment  being  made  all
certificates  representing  shares of capital stock  thereafter  issued shall be
countersigned  by one of such  transfer  agents or by one of such  registrars of
transfers or by both and shall not be valid unless so countersigned. If the same
person shall be both transfer agent and registrar,  only one countersignature by
such person shall be required.

Section 7.04. Fixing of Record Date. The board of directors may fix in advance a
date as a record  date for the  determination  of the  stockholders  entitled to
notice of or to vote at any stockholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof, or
to express  consent to  corporate  action in  writing  without a meeting,  or to
receive  payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any
rights,  or to  exercise  any  rights in respect of any  change,  conversion  or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,  provided that
(a) such  record  date  shall be within  90 days  prior to the date on which the
particular  action  requiring such  determination  will be taken,  except that a
meeting  of  stockholders  convened  on the date for which it was  called may be
adjourned  from time to time without  further notice to a date not more than 120
days after the original  record date; (b) the transfer books shall not be closed
for a  period  longer  than  20  days;  and  (c) in the  case  of a  meeting  of
stockholders,  the record  date shall be at least 10 days before the date of the
meeting.

Section  7.05.  Lost,  Stolen or Destroyed  Certificates.  Before  issuing a new
certificate  for stock of the Corporation  alleged to have been lost,  stolen or
destroyed, the board of directors or any officer authorized by the board may, in
its discretion,  require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed  certificate
(or his legal representative) to give the Corporation a bond or other indemnity,
in such form and in such amount as the board or any such  officer may direct and
with such  surety or sureties  as may be  satisfactory  to the board or any such
officer,  sufficient to indemnify the Corporation  against any claim that may be
made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.



                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                        CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Section  8.01.  Validity  of  Contract  or  Transactions.  In the event that any
officer  or  director  of the  Corporation  shall have any  interest,  direct or
indirect,  in any other firm,  association or corporation as officer,  employee,
director or stockholder, no transaction or contract made by the Corporation with
any such other  firm,  association  or  corporation  shall be valid  unless such
interest shall have been disclosed or made known to all of the directors or to a
majority of the  directors  and such  transaction  or  contract  shall have been
approved by a majority of a quorum of directors, which majority shall consist of
directors not having any such interest or a majority of the directors in office,
including directors having such an interest.

Section  8.02.  Dealings.  No officer,  director or employee of the  Corporation
shall deal for or on behalf of the  Corporation  with  himself,  as principal or
agent,  or with any  corporation  or  partnership  in  which he has a  financial
interest, except that:

         (a) Such prohibition shall not prevent officers, directors or employees
         of the Corporation from having a financial interest in the Corporation,
         or the sponsor,  or a distributor of the shares of the Corporation,  or
         the investment manager or counsel of the Corporation;

         (b) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase of securities for
         the portfolio of the Corporation or the sale of securities owned by the
         Corporation through a securities broker, one or more of whose partners,
         officers  or  directors  is an  officer,  director  or  employee of the
         Corporation,  provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of
         broker,  only,  and  provided  they are  performed in  accordance  with
         applicable law;

         (c) Such prohibition shall not prevent the employment of legal counsel,
         registrar,  transfer agent,  dividend disbursing agent, or custodian or
         trustee  having a  partner,  officer  or  director  who is an  officer,
         director or employee of the  Corporation,  provided only customary fees
         are charged for services rendered for the benefit of the Corporation;

         (d) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase for the portfolio
         of the Corporation of securities issued by an issuer having an officer,
         director or security holder who is an officer,  director or employee of
         the  Corporation  or of  the  manager  or  investment  counsel  of  the
         Corporation,  unless at the time of such  purchase  one or more of such
         officers,  directors or employees owns  beneficially more than one-half
         of one per cent (1/2%) of the shares or  securities,  or both,  of such
         issuer and such  officers,  directors  and  employees  owning more than
         one-half of one per cent (1/2%) of such shares or  securities  together
         own  beneficially  more  than  five per  cent  (5%) of such  shares  or
         securities.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                           FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT

Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall, unless 
otherwise ordered by the board of directors, be twelve calendar months ending on
the 31st day of December.

Section 9.02.  Accountant.  The Corporation  shall employ an independent  public
accountant or a firm of  independent  public  accountants  as its  accountant to
examine  the  accounts  of the  Corporation  and to sign and  certify  financial
statements filed by the Corporation.  The accountant's  certificates and reports
shall be addressed both to the board of directors and to the  stockholders.  The
employment  of the  accountant  shall  be  conditioned  upon  the  right  of the
Corporation to terminate the employment forthwith without any penalty by vote of
a majority of the outstanding  voting  securities at any  stockholders'  meeting
called for that purpose.

A majority  of the  members of the board of  directors  who are not  "interested
persons" (as defined in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the
Corporation  shall  select the  accountant  at any  meeting  held within 90 days
before or after the  beginning of the fiscal year of the  Corporation  or before
the annual  stockholders'  meeting (if any) in that year. The selection shall be
submitted  for   ratification  or  rejection  at  the  next  succeeding   annual
stockholders'  meeting,  if  any,  when  and if such  meeting  is  held.  If the
selection  is  rejected at that  meeting,  the  accountant  shall be selected by
majority vote of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities,  either at the
meeting  at  which  the  rejection  occurred  or  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of
stockholders called for the purpose of selecting an accountant.

Any vacancy  occurring  between  annual  meetings,  if any,  due to the death or
resignation  of the  accountant  may be filled by the vote of a majority  of the
members of the board of directors who are not interested persons.


                                    ARTICLE X
                              CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian.  Unless otherwise  required by law or
the Articles of Incorporation,  all securities and cash owned by the Corporation
from time to time shall be deposited with and held by a

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

custodian  or  subcustodian  qualified  to act as such in  accordance  with  the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section  10.02.  Termination  of Custodian  Agreement.  Upon  termination of the
agreement  for services  with the  custodian  or  inability of the  custodian to
continue to serve,  the board of directors  shall  promptly  appoint a successor
custodian, but in the event that no successor custodian can be found who has the
required  qualifications  and is willing to serve,  the board of directors shall
call as promptly as possible a special meeting of the  stockholders to determine
whether  the  Corporation  shall  function  without  a  custodian  or  shall  be
liquidated. If so directed by resolution of the board of directors or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Corporation held by
it as specified in such vote.

Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian  Contract.  The board of directors shall
cause to be delivered to the custodian all securities  owned by the  Corporation
or to which it may become entitled,  and shall order the same to be delivered by
the custodian only in completion of a sale, exchange, transfer, pledge, or other
disposition thereof, all as the board of directors may generally or from time to
time require to approve or to a successor custodian;  and the board of directors
shall  cause  all  funds  owned by the  Corporation  or to  which it may  become
entitled to be paid to the  custodian,  and shall order the same  disbursed only
for investment  against  delivery of the securities  acquired,  or in payment of
expenses, including management compensation, and liabilities of the Corporation,
including distributions to shareholders, or to a successor custodian.

Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.  The Corporation may make such other
arrangements for the custody of its assets (including deposit arrangements) as 
may be required by any applicable law, rule or regulation.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Section 11.01. Indemnification of Officers, Directors,  Employees and Agents. In
accordance with applicable law, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and Maryland Corporate law, the Corporation shall indemnify each person
who was or is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director,  officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation  as a  director,  officer,
employee, partner, trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise,  against all reasonable expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually incurred, and judgments,  fines, penalties and amounts
paid in  settlement  in connection  with such  Proceeding to the maximum  extent
permitted  by law,  now  existing  or  hereafter  adopted.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the following provisions shall apply with respect to indemnification
of the Corporation's directors,  officers, and investment manager (as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended):

         (a)  Whether  or not  there is an  adjudication  of  liability  in such
         Proceeding, the Corporation shall not indemnify any such person for any
         liability arising by reason of such person's willful  misfeasance,  bad
         faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties involved
         in the conduct of his or her office or under any  contract or agreement
         with the Corporation ("disabling conduct").

         (b) The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person unless:

                  (1) the court or other body before  which the  Proceeding  was
                  brought (a)  dismisses the  Proceeding  for  insufficiency  of
                  evidence  of any  disabling  conduct,  or (b)  reaches a final
                  decision  on the  merits  that such  person  was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct; or

                  (2) absent  such a decision,  a  reasonable  determination  is
                  made,  based upon a review of the facts,  by (a) the vote of a
                  majority of a quorum of the directors of the  Corporation  who
                  are neither  interested  persons of the Corporation as defined
                  in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor parties
                  to the Proceeding, or (b) if such quorum is not obtainable, or
                  even if  obtainable,  if a majority  of a quorum of  directors
                  described  above so directs,  based upon a written  opinion by
                  independent legal counsel,  that such person was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct.

         (c)  Reasonable  expenses  (including   attorneys'  fees)  incurred  in
         defending a  Proceeding  involving  any such person will be paid by the
         Corporation  in  advance  of the  final  disposition  thereof  upon  an
         undertaking  by  such  person  to  repay  such  expenses  unless  it is
         ultimately  determined  that he or she is entitled to  indemnification,
         if:

                  (1)  such person shall provide adequate security for his or
                       her undertaking;

                  (2) the Corporation shall be insured against losses arising by
                      reason of such advance; or

                  (3) a majority of a quorum of the directors of the Corporation
                  who are  neither  interested  persons  of the  Corporation  as
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds I, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                  parties to the Proceeding,  or independent  legal counsel in a
                  written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily
                  available  facts,  that there is reason to  believe  that such
                  person will be found to be entitled to indemnification.

Section  11.02.  Insurance of Officers,  Directors,  Employees  and Agents.  The
Corporation   may  purchase  and   maintain   insurance  or  other   sources  of
reimbursement  to the extent  permitted by law on behalf of any person who is or
was a  director,  officer,  employee or agent of the  Corporation,  or is or was
serving at the  request of the  Corporation  as a director,  officer,  employee,
partner,  trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other enterprise  against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in or arising out of his position.

Section 11.03. Non-exclusivity.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided  by,  or  granted  pursuant  to,  this  Article  XI shall not be deemed
exclusive  of any  other  rights  to  which  those  seeking  indemnification  or
advancement  of expenses may be entitled  under the  Articles of  Incorporation,
these By-Laws,  agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both
as to  action  in his or her  official  capacity  and as to  action  in  another
capacity while holding such office.

Section 11.04. Amendment. No amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article or
the adoption, alteration or amendment of any other provisions to the Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws  inconsistent  with this Article shall adversely affect
any right or protection of any person under this Article with respect to any act
or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment,  alteration, repeal or
adoption.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   AMENDMENTS

Section 12.01. General.  Except as provided in Section 12.02 of this Article XII
and  subject  to the  provisions  concerning  stockholder  voting in  Article II
hereof,  all  By-laws  of the  Corporation,  whether  adopted  by the  board  of
directors or the  stockholders,  shall be subject to  amendment,  alteration  or
repeal,  and new By-laws may be made by the affirmative vote of either:  (a) the
holders  of  record  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of stock of the
Corporation  entitled to vote, at any meeting, the notice or waiver of notice of
which shall have  specified or summarized  the proposed  amendment,  alteration,
repeal or new By-law; or (b) a majority of directors,  at any meeting the notice
or waiver of notice of which shall have  specified  or  summarized  the proposed
amendment, alteration, repeal or new By-law.

Section  12.02.  By  Stockholders  Only.  No  amendment  of any section of these
By-laws  shall be made  except by the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  if the
By-laws provide that such section may not be amended, altered or repealed except
by the  stockholders.  From and after the  issuance of any shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation no amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article XII
shall be made except by the stockholders of the Corporation.


                                     - 10 -


[DESCRIPTION]            AMENDED BY-LAWS
                     Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.
                   By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS


                                       OF


                           BULL & BEAR FUNDS II, INC.


                             A MARYLAND CORPORATION



                                DECEMBER 11, 1997


<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE I - NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF OFFICES AND SEAL...............  1
         Section 1.01.  Name................................................  1
         Section 1.02.  Principal Offices...................................  1
         Section 1.03.  Seal................................................  1

ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS...................................................  1
         Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.....................................  1
         Section 2.02.  Special Meetings....................................  1
         Section 2.03.  Notice of Meetings..................................  1
         Section 2.04.  Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings..................  1
         Section 2.05.  Voting and Inspectors...............................  1
         Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.................................  2
         Section 2.07.  Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders...............  2
         Section 2.08.  Action Without Meeting..............................  2

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS............................................  2
         Section 3.01.  General Powers......................................  2
         Section 3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.......................  2
         Section 3.03.  Power to Declare Dividends..........................  2
         Section 3.04.  Number and Term of Directors........................  3
         Section 3.05.  Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships...........  3
         Section 3.06.  Removal.............................................  3
         Section 3.07.  Regular Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.08.  Special Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.09.  Waiver of Notice....................................  3
         Section 3.10.  Quorum and Voting...................................  3
         Section 3.11.  Action Without a Meeting............................  4
         Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors...........................  4
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES.....................................................  4
         Section 4.01.  Organization........................................  4
         Section 4.02.  Powers of the Executive Committee...................  4
         Section 4.03.  Powers of Other Committees of the Board of Directors  4
         Section 4.04.  Proceedings and Quorum..............................  4
         Section 4.05.  Other Committees....................................  4

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS........................................................  4
         Section 5.01.  Officers............................................  4
         Section 5.02.  Election, Tenure and Qualifications.................  4
         Section 5.03.  Vacancies and Newly Created Offices.................  4
         Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.............................  5
         Section 5.05.  Chairman of the Board...............................  5
         Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board..........................  5
         Section 5.07.  President, Co-President.............................  5
         Section 5.08.  Vice President......................................  5
         Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers..................  5
         Section 5.10.  Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.................  5
         Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers................................  5
         Section 5.12.  Remuneration........................................  5
         Section 5.13.  Surety Bonds........................................  6

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES.................  6
         Section 6.01.  General.............................................  6
         Section 6.02.  Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc..........................  6
         Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities................................  6

ARTICLE VII - CAPITAL STOCK.................................................  6
         Section 7.01.  Certificates of Stock...............................  6
         Section 7.02.  Transfer of Shares..................................  6
         Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and Registrars......................  6
         Section 7.04.  Fixing of Record Date...............................  7
         Section 7.05.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates..............  7

ARTICLE VIII - CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS............................  7
         Section 8.01.  Validity of Contract or Transactions................  7
         Section 8.02.  Dealings............................................  7


                                        i

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT.....................................  7
         Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.........................................  7
         Section 9.02.  Accountant..........................................  7

ARTICLE X - CUSTODY OF SECURITIES...........................................  8
         Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian..........................  8
         Section 10.02.  Termination of Custodian Agreement.................  8
         Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian Contract...................  8
         Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.................................  8

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE..................................  8
         Section 11.01.  Indemnification of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  8
         Section 11.02.  Insurance of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  9
         Section 11.03.  Non-exclusivity....................................  9
         Section 11.04.  Amendment..........................................  9

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS....................................................  9
         Section 12.01.  General............................................  9
         Section 12.02.  By Stockholders Only...............................  9


                                       ii

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                       OF

                            BULL & BEAR FUNDS II, INC.

                            (A MARYLAND CORPORATION)


                                    ARTICLE I
                        NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF
                                OFFICES AND SEAL


Section 1.01.  Name.  The name of the Corporation is Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.
                      

Section 1.02.  Principal Offices. The principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland shall be located in Baltimore,  Maryland. The Corporation may,
in addition, establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as
the board of directors may, from time to time, determine.

Section 1.03.  Seal. The corporate seal of the Corporation  shall consist of two
(2) concentric circles, between which shall be the name of the Corporation,  and
in the center shall be inscribed  the year of its  incorporation,  and the words
"Corporate  Seal." The form of the seal shall be  subject to  alteration  by the
board of  directors  and the seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be
impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced. Any officer or director
of the  Corporation  shall have  authority  to affix the  corporate  seal of the
Corporation to any document requiring the same.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.  There shall be no stockholders' meetings for 
the election of directors and the transaction of other proper business except as
required by law or as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.02.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called
at any time by the chairman of the board or the president or a co-president  and
shall be held at such  time and  place as may be  stated  in the  notice  of the
meeting.  The secretary shall call a special meeting of the  stockholders on the
written request of stockholders  entitled to cast at least a majority of all the
votes  entitled to be cast at the meeting.  Such request shall state the purpose
of such  meeting and the matters  proposed to be acted on thereat,  and no other
business shall be transacted at any such special  meeting.  The secretary  shall
inform such  stockholders  of the  reasonably  estimated  costs of preparing and
mailing the notice of the meeting,  and upon payment to the  Corporation of such
costs,  the secretary shall give not less than ten nor more than 90 days' notice
of the time,  place and purpose of the meeting in the manner provided in Section
2.03 of this Article II.

Section 2.03. Notice of Meetings. The secretary shall cause notice of the place,
date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise  required by
law,  the  purpose or  purposes  for which the  meeting is called,  to be served
personally or to be mailed,  postage prepaid,  not less than 10 nor more than 90
days before the date of the  meeting,  to each  stockholder  entitled to vote at
such meeting at his address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation  at
the time of such mailing.  Notice shall be deemed to be given when  deposited in
the United States mail addressed to the stockholders as aforesaid.

Notice of any  stockholders'  meeting need not be given to any  stockholder  who
shall sign a written  waiver of such notice  whether before or after the time of
such meeting,  which waiver shall be filed with the records of such meeting,  or
to any stockholder who is present at such meeting in person or by proxy.  Notice
of adjournment of a  stockholders'  meeting to another time or place need not be
given if such time and place are announced at the meeting.

Irregularities  in the notice of any meeting to, or the  nonreceipt  of any such
notice by, any of the  stockholders  shall not invalidate  any action  otherwise
properly taken by or at any such meeting.

Section  2.04.  Quorum  and  Adjournment  of  Meetings.   The  presence  at  any
stockholders'  meeting, in person or by proxy, of stockholders  entitled to cast
one-third  of all votes  entitled  to be cast  thereat  shall be  necessary  and
sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that
with respect to any matter to be voted upon separately by any Series (as defined
in the Articles of  Incorporation) or class of shares, a quorum shall consist of
the holders of one-third of the shares of that Series or class  outstanding  and
entitled to vote on the matter.  In the  absence of a quorum,  the  stockholders
present in person or by proxy or, if no stockholder  entitled to vote is present
in person  or by proxy,  any  officer  present  entitled  to  preside  or act as
secretary of such meeting may adjourn the meeting  without  determining the date
of the new  meeting or from time to time  without  further  notice to a date not
more than 120 days after the original  record date. Any business that might have
been transacted at the meeting  originally  called may be transacted at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


Section  2.05.  Voting and  Inspectors.  At every  stockholders'  meeting,  each
stockholder  shall be entitled to one vote for each share and a fractional  vote
for each  fraction  of a share of stock of the  Corporation  validly  issued and
outstanding  and  standing  in his name on the books of the  Corporation  on the
record date fixed in accordance with Section 7.04 hereof, either in person or by
proxy appointed by instrument in writing  subscribed by such  stockholder or his
duly authorized attorney, except that no shares held by the Corporation shall be
entitled to a vote; provided, however, that (a) as to any matter with respect to
which a separate vote of any series is required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended,  or by the Maryland General  Corporation Law, such requirement
as to a separate  vote by that  series  shall  apply;  (b) in the event that the
separate vote requirements referred to in (a) above apply with respect to one or
more  series,  then,  subject to (c) below,  the shares of all other such one or
more  series  shall  vote as a single  series;  and (c) as to any  matter  which
affects the interest of only a particular series,  only the holders of shares of
the one or more affected series shall be entitled to vote.

If no record  date has been  fixed,  the record  date for the  determination  of
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be the later of the close of business on the day on which  notice of the meeting
is mailed or the 30th day  before  the  meeting,  or, if notice is waived by all
stockholders,  at the close of  business  on the 11th day  preceding  the day on
which the meeting is held.

Except as otherwise  specifically  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation or
these  By-laws or as required by  provisions  of the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended,  all matters shall be decided by a vote of the majority of the
votes validly cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  The vote upon any
question shall be by ballot  whenever  requested by any person entitled to vote,
but, unless such a request is made,  voting may be conducted in any way approved
by the meeting.

At any meeting at which there is an election of  directors,  the chairman of the
meeting may appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an oath
or affirmation  to execute  faithfully the duties of inspectors at such election
with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,  and shall,
after the  election,  make a  certificate  of the result of the vote  taken.  No
candidate for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector.

Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.  The right to vote by proxy shall exist only
if the  instrument  authorizing  such proxy to act shall have been signed by the
stockholder  or by  his  duly  authorized  attorney.  Unless  a  proxy  provides
otherwise, it shall not be valid more than 11 months after its date. All proxies
shall be delivered to the secretary of the  Corporation  or to the person acting
as secretary of the meeting  before being voted,  who shall decide all questions
concerning  qualification of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance
or rejection of votes.  If  inspectors  of election  have been  appointed by the
chairman of the meeting,  such  inspectors  shall decide all such  questions.  A
proxy with  respect to stock  held in the name of two or more  persons  shall be
valid if  executed  by one of them  unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy
the Corporation  receives from any one of them a specific  written notice to the
contrary  and a copy of the  instrument  or  order  which so  provides.  A proxy
purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid
unless challenged at or prior to its exercise.

Section 2.07. Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the
secretary or  assistant  secretary  of the  Corporation  to cause an original or
duplicate   stock  ledger   containing  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the
stockholders  and the  number  of  shares  held  by  them,  respectively,  to be
maintained at the office of the Corporation's  transfer agent. Such stock ledger
may be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written
form within a reasonable  time for visual  inspection.  Any one or more persons,
each of whom has been a stockholder of record of the  Corporation  for more than
six months next preceding  such request,  who owns in the aggregate five percent
or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation,  may submit (unless
the Corporation at the time of the request maintains a duplicate stock ledger at
its  principal  office in  Maryland)  a written  request  to any  officer of the
Corporation or its resident agent in Maryland for a list of the  stockholders of
the  Corporation.  Within 20 days after such a request,  there shall be prepared
and filed at the  Corporation's  principal  office in Maryland a list containing
the names and addresses of all stockholders of the Corporation and the number of
shares of each  class  held by each  stockholder,  certified  as  correct  by an
officer of the Corporation, by its stock transfer agent, or by its registrar.

Section 2.08.  Action Without  Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted to be
taken by  stockholders  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  may be taken  without a
meeting if (a) all  stockholders  entitled to vote on the matter  consent to the
action in writing,  (b) all  stockholders  entitled to notice of the meeting but
not  entitled to vote at it sign a written  waiver of any right to dissent,  and
(c) the  consents  and  waivers  are filed with the  records of the  meetings of
stockholders.  Such  consent  shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at the
meeting.


                                   ARTICLE III
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. General Powers.  Except as otherwise provided by operation of law,
by the Articles of Incorporation,  or by these By-laws,  the property,  business
and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed under the direction of and all
the powers of the  Corporation  shall be exercised by or under  authority of its
board of directors.

                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

Section  3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.  The board of directors  may from
time  to  time  issue  and  sell or  cause  to be  issued  and  sold  any of the
Corporation's  authorized  shares to such persons and for such  consideration as
the board of directors  shall deem  advisable,  subject to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation.

Section 3.03. Power to Declare Dividends.  The board of directors,  from time to
time as they may deem advisable, may declare and pay dividends in stock, cash or
other property of the Corporation, out of any source available for dividends, to
the  stockholders   according  to  their  respective  rights  and  interests  in
accordance  with the provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation.  The board of
directors may prescribe from time to time that dividends declared may be payable
at the  election  of any of the  stockholders  (exercisable  before or after the
declaration  of the dividend),  either in cash or in shares of the  Corporation,
provided that the sum of the cash dividend  actually paid to any stockholder and
the asset value of the shares received  (determined as of such time as the board
of directors shall have prescribed,  pursuant to the Articles of  Incorporation,
with respect to shares sold on the date of such  election)  shall not exceed the
full amount of cash to which the stockholder  would be entitled if he elected to
receive only cash.  The board of directors  shall cause to be  accompanied  by a
written  statement any dividend  payment  wholly or partly from any source other
than:

         (a) the Corporation's  accumulated undistributed net income (determined
         in  accordance  with  good  accounting   practice  and  the  rules  and
         regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission  then in effect)
         and  not  including  profits  or  losses  realized  upon  the  sale  of
         securities or other properties; or

         (b) the  Corporation's  net  income so  determined  for the  current or
         preceding fiscal year.

Such statement shall  adequately  disclose the source or sources of such payment
and the basis of  calculation,  and shall be in such form as the  Securities and
Exchange Commission may prescribe.

Section  3.04.  Number and Term of  Directors.  Except for the initial  board of
directors, the board of directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more
than fifteen directors, as specified by a resolution of a majority of the entire
board of directors and at least one member of the board of directors  shall be a
person who is not an  "interested  person" of the  Corporation,  as that term is
defined in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended.  All other directors
may be interested  persons of the  Corporation  if the  requirements  of Section
10(d)  of the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as  amended,  are  met by the
Corporation  and its investment  manager.  Each director shall hold office until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier  death,  resignation
or removal.

All acts done at any  meeting  of the  directors  or by any  person  acting as a
director,  so  long as his  successor  shall  not  have  been  duly  elected  or
appointed,  shall,  notwithstanding that it be afterwards  discovered that there
was some defect in the election of the  directors or of such person  acting as a
director  or that they or any of them were  disqualified,  be as valid as if the
directors  or such other  person,  as the case may be, had been duly elected and
were or was qualified to be directors or a director of the Corporation.

Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 3.05. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.  If any vacancies shall
occur in the board of  directors  by reason of death,  resignation,  removal  or
otherwise,  or if the  authorized  number of directors  shall be increased,  the
directors  then in office  shall  continue to act,  and such  vacancies  (if not
previously  filled  by the  stockholders)  may be filled  by a  majority  of the
directors  then in  office,  although  less than a quorum,  except  that a newly
created  directorship  may be filled only by a majority vote of the entire board
of directors; provided, however, that immediately after filling such vacancy, at
least  two-thirds  (2/3) of the  directors  then holding  office shall have been
elected to such office by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that
at any  time,  other  than the time  preceding  the first  annual  stockholders'
meeting, less than a majority of the directors of the Corporation holding office
at that time were  elected by the  stockholders,  a meeting of the  stockholders
shall be held  promptly  and in any  event  within  60 days for the  purpose  of
electing  directors  to fill any existing  vacancies in the board of  directors,
unless the Securities and Exchange Commission shall by order extend such period.

Section 3.06.  Removal.  At any  stockholders'  meeting duly called,  provided a
quorum is present,  the stockholders may remove any director from office (either
with or  without  cause)  by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of all votes
represented at the meeting,  and at the same meeting a duly qualified  successor
or successors  may be elected to fill any resulting  vacancies by a plurality of
the votes validly cast.

Section  3.07.  Regular  Meetings.  The  meeting of the board of  directors  for
choosing officers and transacting other proper business, and all other meetings,
shall be held at such time and place,  within or outside the state of  Maryland,
as the board may  determine and as provided by  resolution.  Except as otherwise
provided  in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as  amended,  notice of such
meetings need not be given,  following the annual  meeting of  stockholders,  if
any,  provided  that notice of any change in the time or place of such  meetings
shall be sent promptly to each director not present at the meeting at which such
change was made, in the manner provided for notice of special  meetings.  Except
as otherwise  provided  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended,
members  of the board of  directors  or any  committee  designated  thereby  may
participate  in a meeting of such board or  committee  by means of a  conference
telephone or similar communications equipment that allows

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

all  persons  participating  in the meeting to hear each other at the same time;
and  participation  by such  means  shall  constitute  presence  in  person at a
meeting.

Section 3.08. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall
be held  whenever  called by the  chairman  of the board or the  president  or a
co-president  (or, in the absence or  disability of the chairman of the board or
the  president  or a  co-president,  by any  officer  or  director,  as  they so
designate)  at the time and place  (within or outside of the State of  Maryland)
specified in the  respective  notice or waivers of notice of such  meetings.  At
least three days before the day on which a special meeting is to be held, notice
of special  meetings,  stating  the time and place,  shall be (a) mailed to each
director at his  residence or regular  place of business or (b) delivered to him
personally  or  transmitted  to him  by  telegraph,  telefax,  telex,  cable  or
wireless.

Section  3.09.  Waiver of Notice.  No notice of any meeting need be given to any
director  who is present at the meeting or who waives  notice of such meeting in
writing (which waiver shall be filed with the records of such  meeting),  either
before or after the time of the meeting.

Section 3.10. Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the board of directors,  the
presence of one-half of the number of directors then in office shall  constitute
a quorum for the  transaction of business,  provided that there shall be present
at least two directors.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors
present may  adjourn the  meeting,  from time to time,  until a quorum  shall be
present. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum  is  present  shall be the  action of the  board of  directors,  unless
concurrence  of a greater  proportion is required for such action by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

Section  3.11.  Action  Without a Meeting.  Except as otherwise  provided in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the board of  directors or of any  committee  thereof
may be taken without a meeting if a written  consent to such action is signed by
all  members  of the board or of such  committee,  as the case may be,  and such
written  consent  is filed  with the  minutes  of  proceedings  of the  board or
committee.

Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors.  Directors may receive such 
compensation for their services as may from time to time be determined by 
resolution of the board of directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COMMITTEES

Section 4.01. Organization. By resolution adopted by the board of directors, the
board may designate one or more committees of the board of directors,  including
an Executive Committee,  each consisting of at least two directors.  Each member
of a committee  shall be a director and shall hold  committee  membership at the
pleasure of the board.  The chairman of the board,  if any, shall be a member of
the Executive Committee. The board of directors shall have the power at any time
to  change  the  members  of  such  committees  and  to  fill  vacancies  in the
committees.

Section 4.02. Powers of the Executive  Committee.  Unless otherwise  provided by
resolution  of the board of  directors,  when the board of  directors  is not in
session the  Executive  Committee  shall have and may exercise all powers of the
board  of  directors  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation that may lawfully be exercised by an Executive  Committee except the
power to declare a dividend or distribution on stock,  authorize the issuance of
stock,  recommend to stockholders any action requiring  stockholders'  approval,
amend these By-laws, approve any merger or share exchange which does not require
stockholder  approval or approve or terminate any contract  with an  "investment
adviser"  or  "principal  underwriter,"  as  those  terms  are  defined  in  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to take any other action required
by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  to be taken by the board of
directors.  Notwithstanding  the above,  such Executive  Committee may make such
dividend  calculations  and  payments as are  consistent  with  applicable  law,
including Maryland corporate law.

Section  4.03.  Powers of Other  Committees  of the Board of  Directors.  To the
extent  provided by  resolution of the board,  other  committees of the board of
directors  shall have and may  exercise  any of the powers that may  lawfully be
granted to the Executive Committee.

Section  4.04.  Proceedings  and  Quorum.  In  the  absence  of  an  appropriate
resolution  of the board of directors,  each  committee may adopt such rules and
regulations  governing its proceedings,  quorum and manner of acting as it shall
deem proper and  desirable,  provided  that a quorum  shall not be less than two
directors.  In the event any member of any committee is absent from any meeting,
the members  thereof  present at the meeting,  whether or not they  constitute a
quorum,  may appoint a member of the board of  directors  to act in the place of
such absent member.

Section  4.05.  Other  Committees.  The board of  directors  may  appoint  other
committees,  each consisting of one or more persons,  who need not be directors.
Each such  committee  shall have such powers and  perform  such duties as may be
assigned  to it from  time to time by the  board of  directors,  but  shall  not
exercise  any  power  which  may  lawfully  be  exercised  only by the  board of
directors or a committee thereof.

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Officers.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a president or
co-presidents,  a secretary,  and a treasurer,  and may include one or more vice
presidents   (including   executive  and  senior  vice  presidents),   assistant
secretaries or assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof. The board of directors
may, but shall not be required  to,  elect a chairman  and vice  chairman of the
board.

Section  5.02.  Election,  Tenure  and  Qualifications.   The  officers  of  the
Corporation  (except those  appointed  pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof) shall be
elected  by the board of  directors  at its  first  meeting  or such  subsequent
meetings as shall be held prior to its first annual  meeting,  and thereafter at
regular board  meetings,  as required by applicable law. If any officers are not
elected at any annual  meeting,  such officers may be elected at any  subsequent
meetings of the board.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Article V, each
officer  elected by the board of  directors  shall hold office  until his or her
successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any person may hold one or more
offices of the Corporation  except that no one person may serve  concurrently as
both the president or a co-president and vice president. A person who holds more
than one  office in the  Corporation  may not act in more than one  capacity  to
execute,  acknowledge,  or verify an instrument  required by law to be executed,
acknowledged,  or verified by more than one  officer.  The chairman of the board
shall be chosen from among the  directors of the  Corporation  and may hold such
office only so long as he continues to be a director. No other officer need be a
director.

Section 5.03. Vacancies and Newly Created Offices. If any vacancy shall occur in
any office by reason of death, resignation,  removal,  disqualification or other
cause,  or if any new office shall be created,  such  vacancies or newly created
offices  may be filled by the  chairman  of the board at any  meeting or, in the
case of any office created pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof,  by any officer upon
whom such power shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.  At any meeting called for such purpose,
the  Executive  Committee  may remove any officer  from office  (either  with or
without cause) by the affirmative  vote, given at the meeting,  of a majority of
the members of the Committee.  Any officer may resign from office at any time by
delivering a written  resignation to the board of directors,  the president or a
co-president,  the  secretary,  or any  assistant  secretary.  Unless  otherwise
specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 5.05. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if there be such
an officer, shall be the senior officer of the Corporation, shall preside at all
stockholders'  meetings and at all meetings of the board of directors  and shall
be ex officio a member of all  committees  of the board of  directors.  He shall
have such other  powers and perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the board of directors.

Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board.  The board of directors may from time
to time elect a vice chairman who shall have such powers and perform such duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors,  chairman
of the board or the  president or a  co-president.  At the request of, or in the
absence or in the event of the disability of the chairman of the board, the vice
chairman  may  perform  all the  duties  of the  chairman  of the  board  or the
president or a  co-president  and, when so acting,  shall have all the powers of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon such respective officers.

Section 5.07. President,  Co-President.  The president or co-presidents shall be
the chief executive officer or co-chief executive officers,  as the case may be,
of the  Corporation  and,  in the  absence of the  chairman of the board or vice
chairman or if no chairman of the board or vice chairman has been chosen,  shall
preside  at all  stockholders'  meetings  and at all  meetings  of the  board of
directors and shall in general exercise the powers and perform the duties of the
chairman of the board. Subject to the supervision of the board of directors, the
president  or the  co-presidents  shall  have  general  charge of the  business,
affairs  and  property  of the  Corporation  and  general  supervision  over its
officers,  employees and agents.  Except as the board of directors may otherwise
order, the president or a co-president may sign in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation  all deeds,  bonds,  contracts,  or  agreements.  The president or a
co-president  shall  exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.

Section 5.08. Vice President. The board of directors may from time to time elect
one or more vice presidents (including executive and senior vice presidents) who
shall  have such  powers  and  perform  such  duties as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the board of directors or the  president or a  co-president.
At the request of, or in the absence or in the event of the  disability  of, the
president or both  co-presidents,  the vice  president  (or, if there are two or
more vice presidents, then the senior of the vice presidents present and able to
act) may perform all the duties of the president or  co-presidents  and, when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the president or co-presidents.

Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant  Treasurers.  The treasurer  shall be the
chief accounting officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge of the
finances and books of account of the Corporation.  The treasurer shall render to
the board of  directors,  whenever  directed  by the  board,  an  account of the
financial condition of the Corporation and of all transactions as treasurer; and
as soon as possible after the close of

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

each  financial  year he shall make and submit to the board of  directors a like
report  for such  financial  year.  The  treasurer  shall  cause to be  prepared
annually  a full and  complete  statement  of the  affairs  of the  Corporation,
including  a balance  sheet and a  financial  statement  of  operations  for the
preceding  fiscal  year,  which  shall be  submitted  at the  annual  meeting of
stockholders  (when,  and if,  such  meeting  is held) and filed  within 20 days
thereafter at the principal  office of the Corporation in the state of Maryland,
except  that for any year when an annual  meeting of  stockholders  is not held,
such statement of affairs shall be filed at the  Corporation's  principal office
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.  The  treasurer  shall perform
all acts  incidental to the office of  treasurer,  subject to the control of the
board of directors.

Any  assistant  treasurer  may  perform  such  duties  of the  treasurer  as the
treasurer  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
treasurer, may perform all the duties of the treasurer.

Section 5.10. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend to
the giving and serving of all notices of the  Corporation  and shall  record all
proceedings  of the meetings of the  stockholders  and  directors in books to be
kept for that purpose.  The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the
Corporation,  and shall have  responsibility for the records of the Corporation,
including  the stock  books  and such  other  books  and  papers as the board of
directors may direct and such books,  reports,  certificates and other documents
required by law to be kept, all of which shall at all  reasonable  times be open
to  inspection by any  director.  The secretary  shall perform such other duties
which appertain to this office or as may be required by the board of directors.

Any  assistant  secretary  may  perform  such  duties  of the  secretary  as the
secretary  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
secretary, may perform all the duties of the secretary.

Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers. The chairman of the board from time to time
may appoint such other officers or agents as he may deem advisable, each of whom
shall have such title,  hold office for such  period,  have such  authority  and
perform such duties as the board of directors may determine. The chairman of the
board from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or agents the power
to  appoint  any such  subordinate  officers  or agents and to  prescribe  their
respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any officer or agent
appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.11 may be removed,
either with or without  cause,  by any  officer  upon whom such power of removal
shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.12.  Remuneration.  The salaries or other compensation of the officers
of the  Corporation  shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board
of directors,  except that the board of directors may by resolution  delegate to
any  person  or  group  of  persons  the  power  to fix the  salaries  or  other
compensation of any subordinate  officers or agents appointed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof.

Section 5.13.  Surety  Bonds.  The board of directors may require any officer or
agent of the Corporation to execute a bond (including,  without limitation,  any
bond required by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  and the rules
and   regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission   promulgated
thereunder)  to the  Corporation in such sum and with such surety or sureties as
the board of directors may determine,  conditioned upon the faithful performance
of his or her duties to the Corporation, including responsibility for negligence
and for the accounting of any of the Corporation's property, funds or securities
that may come into his hands.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                 EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES

Section 6.01.  General.  Subject to the provisions of Sections  5.07,  6.02, and
7.03 hereof, all deeds, documents,  transfers,  contracts,  agreements and other
instruments  requiring  execution  by the  Corporation  shall be  signed  by the
president or a co-president,  a vice president  (including  executive and senior
vice presidents), chairman or vice chairman and by the treasurer or secretary or
an assistant treasurer or an assistant  secretary,  or as the board of directors
may  otherwise,  from time to time,  authorize.  Any such  authorization  may be
general or confined to specific instances.

Section 6.02.  Checks,  Notes,  Drafts,  Etc. So long as the  Corporation  shall
employ  a  custodian  to  keep  custody  of  the  cash  and  securities  of  the
Corporation,  all checks and drafts for the payment of money by the  Corporation
may be  signed  in the  name of the  Corporation  by the  custodian.  Except  as
otherwise  authorized by the board of directors,  all requisitions or orders for
the  assignment  of  securities  standing  in the name of the  custodian  or its
nominee, or for the execution of powers to transfer the same, shall be signed in
the name of the  Corporation  by any two of the  following:  the  president or a
co-president,  vice president  (including executive and senior vice presidents),
treasurer or an assistant treasurer, provided that no one person may sign in the
capacity of two such officers. Promissory notes, checks or drafts payable to the
Corporation  may be endorsed  only to the order of the  custodian or its nominee
and  only  by any  two of the  following:  the  treasurer,  the  president  or a
co-president,  a vice president (including executive and senior vice presidents)
or by such  other  person  or  persons  as shall be  authorized  by the board of
directors,  provided  that no one  person may sign in the  capacity  of two such
officers.

Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities.  Unless otherwise ordered by the board of 
directors, the president or a co-president, or any vice president (including 
executive and senior vice presidents) shall have full power and

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                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc.  
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

authority on behalf of the  Corporation  to attend and to act and to vote, or in
the name of the  Corporation  to  execute  proxies  to vote,  at any  meeting of
stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock. At any such
meeting such officer  shall possess and may exercise (in person or by proxy) any
and all rights,  powers and privileges  incident to the ownership of such stock.
The board of directors  may by  resolution  from time to time confer like powers
upon any other  person or  persons in  accordance  with the laws of the State of
Maryland.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

Section 7.01.  Certificates  of Stock.  The interest of each  stockholder of the
Corporation  may be, but shall not be required to be,  evidenced by certificates
for  shares  of  stock in such  form  not  inconsistent  with  the  Articles  of
Incorporation  as the board of  directors  may from time to time  authorize.  No
certificate shall be valid unless it is signed in the name of the Corporation by
a president or a  co-president  or a vice  president  and  countersigned  by the
secretary or an assistant  secretary or the treasurer or an assistant  treasurer
of the  Corporation  and sealed with the seal of the  Corporation,  or bears the
facsimile  signatures of such officers and a facsimile of such seal. In case any
officer who shall have signed any such certificate, or whose facsimile signature
has been placed  thereon,  shall cease to be such an officer  (because of death,
resignation or otherwise)  before such  certificate is issued,  such certificate
may be issued and  delivered  by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he
were such officer at the date of issue.

The number of each certificate issued, the name and address of the person owning
the  shares  represented  thereby,  the  number of such  shares  and the date of
issuance  shall be entered upon the stock ledger of the  Corporation at the time
of issuance.

Every certificate exchanged, surrendered for redemption or otherwise returned to
the Corporation shall be marked "canceled" with the date of cancellation.

Section  7.02.   Transfer  of  Shares.   Shares  of  the  Corporation  shall  be
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof (in
person or by his duly  authorized  attorney  or legal  representative)  (a) if a
certificate or  certificates  have been issued,  upon surrender duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with such proof of
the  authenticity  of  the  signature  as the  Corporation  or  its  agents  may
reasonably  require,  or (b) as otherwise  prescribed by the board of directors.
Except as  otherwise  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation,  the shares of
stock of the Corporation may be freely  transferred,  subject to the charging of
customary  transfer  fees,  and the board of directors  may,  from time to time,
adopt  rules and  regulations  with  reference  to the method of transfer of the
shares of stock of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall be entitled to treat
the holder of record of any share of stock as the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes,  and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal,  equitable
or other  claim or  interest  in such  share  on the part of any  other  person,
whether  or not it  shall  have  express  or other  notice  thereof,  except  as
otherwise expressly provided by law or the statutes of the State of Maryland.

Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and  Registrars.  The board of directors may from
time to time appoint or remove  transfer  agents or  registrars of transfers for
shares of stock of the  Corporation,  and it may appoint the same person as both
transfer  agent  and  registrar.  Upon  any  such  appointment  being  made  all
certificates  representing  shares of capital stock  thereafter  issued shall be
countersigned  by one of such  transfer  agents or by one of such  registrars of
transfers or by both and shall not be valid unless so countersigned. If the same
person shall be both transfer agent and registrar,  only one countersignature by
such person shall be required.

Section 7.04. Fixing of Record Date. The board of directors may fix in advance a
date as a record  date for the  determination  of the  stockholders  entitled to
notice of or to vote at any stockholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof, or
to express  consent to  corporate  action in  writing  without a meeting,  or to
receive  payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any
rights,  or to  exercise  any  rights in respect of any  change,  conversion  or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,  provided that
(a) such  record  date  shall be within  90 days  prior to the date on which the
particular  action  requiring such  determination  will be taken,  except that a
meeting  of  stockholders  convened  on the date for which it was  called may be
adjourned  from time to time without  further notice to a date not more than 120
days after the original  record date; (b) the transfer books shall not be closed
for a  period  longer  than  20  days;  and  (c) in the  case  of a  meeting  of
stockholders,  the record  date shall be at least 10 days before the date of the
meeting.

Section  7.05.  Lost,  Stolen or Destroyed  Certificates.  Before  issuing a new
certificate  for stock of the Corporation  alleged to have been lost,  stolen or
destroyed, the board of directors or any officer authorized by the board may, in
its discretion,  require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed  certificate
(or his legal representative) to give the Corporation a bond or other indemnity,
in such form and in such amount as the board or any such  officer may direct and
with such  surety or sureties  as may be  satisfactory  to the board or any such
officer,  sufficient to indemnify the Corporation  against any claim that may be
made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.



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                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                        CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Section  8.01.  Validity  of  Contract  or  Transactions.  In the event that any
officer  or  director  of the  Corporation  shall have any  interest,  direct or
indirect,  in any other firm,  association or corporation as officer,  employee,
director or stockholder, no transaction or contract made by the Corporation with
any such other  firm,  association  or  corporation  shall be valid  unless such
interest shall have been disclosed or made known to all of the directors or to a
majority of the  directors  and such  transaction  or  contract  shall have been
approved by a majority of a quorum of directors, which majority shall consist of
directors not having any such interest or a majority of the directors in office,
including directors having such an interest.

Section  8.02.  Dealings.  No officer,  director or employee of the  Corporation
shall deal for or on behalf of the  Corporation  with  himself,  as principal or
agent,  or with any  corporation  or  partnership  in  which he has a  financial
interest, except that:

         (a) Such prohibition shall not prevent officers, directors or employees
         of the Corporation from having a financial interest in the Corporation,
         or the sponsor,  or a distributor of the shares of the Corporation,  or
         the investment manager or counsel of the Corporation;

         (b) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase of securities for
         the portfolio of the Corporation or the sale of securities owned by the
         Corporation through a securities broker, one or more of whose partners,
         officers  or  directors  is an  officer,  director  or  employee of the
         Corporation,  provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of
         broker,  only,  and  provided  they are  performed in  accordance  with
         applicable law;

         (c) Such prohibition shall not prevent the employment of legal counsel,
         registrar,  transfer agent,  dividend disbursing agent, or custodian or
         trustee  having a  partner,  officer  or  director  who is an  officer,
         director or employee of the  Corporation,  provided only customary fees
         are charged for services rendered for the benefit of the Corporation;

         (d) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase for the portfolio
         of the Corporation of securities issued by an issuer having an officer,
         director or security holder who is an officer,  director or employee of
         the  Corporation  or of  the  manager  or  investment  counsel  of  the
         Corporation,  unless at the time of such  purchase  one or more of such
         officers,  directors or employees owns  beneficially more than one-half
         of one per cent (1/2%) of the shares or  securities,  or both,  of such
         issuer and such  officers,  directors  and  employees  owning more than
         one-half of one per cent (1/2%) of such shares or  securities  together
         own  beneficially  more  than  five per  cent  (5%) of such  shares  or
         securities.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                           FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT

Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall, unless 
otherwise ordered by the board of directors, be twelve calendar months ending on
the 31st day of December.

Section 9.02.  Accountant.  The Corporation  shall employ an independent  public
accountant or a firm of  independent  public  accountants  as its  accountant to
examine  the  accounts  of the  Corporation  and to sign and  certify  financial
statements filed by the Corporation.  The accountant's  certificates and reports
shall be addressed both to the board of directors and to the  stockholders.  The
employment  of the  accountant  shall  be  conditioned  upon  the  right  of the
Corporation to terminate the employment forthwith without any penalty by vote of
a majority of the outstanding  voting  securities at any  stockholders'  meeting
called for that purpose.

A majority  of the  members of the board of  directors  who are not  "interested
persons" (as defined in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the
Corporation  shall  select the  accountant  at any  meeting  held within 90 days
before or after the  beginning of the fiscal year of the  Corporation  or before
the annual  stockholders'  meeting (if any) in that year. The selection shall be
submitted  for   ratification  or  rejection  at  the  next  succeeding   annual
stockholders'  meeting,  if  any,  when  and if such  meeting  is  held.  If the
selection  is  rejected at that  meeting,  the  accountant  shall be selected by
majority vote of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities,  either at the
meeting  at  which  the  rejection  occurred  or  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of
stockholders called for the purpose of selecting an accountant.

Any vacancy  occurring  between  annual  meetings,  if any,  due to the death or
resignation  of the  accountant  may be filled by the vote of a majority  of the
members of the board of directors who are not interested persons.


                                    ARTICLE X
                              CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian.  Unless otherwise  required by law or
the Articles of Incorporation,  all securities and cash owned by the Corporation
from time to time shall be deposited with and held by a

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

custodian  or  subcustodian  qualified  to act as such in  accordance  with  the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section  10.02.  Termination  of Custodian  Agreement.  Upon  termination of the
agreement  for services  with the  custodian  or  inability of the  custodian to
continue to serve,  the board of directors  shall  promptly  appoint a successor
custodian, but in the event that no successor custodian can be found who has the
required  qualifications  and is willing to serve,  the board of directors shall
call as promptly as possible a special meeting of the  stockholders to determine
whether  the  Corporation  shall  function  without  a  custodian  or  shall  be
liquidated. If so directed by resolution of the board of directors or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Corporation held by
it as specified in such vote.

Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian  Contract.  The board of directors shall
cause to be delivered to the custodian all securities  owned by the  Corporation
or to which it may become entitled,  and shall order the same to be delivered by
the custodian only in completion of a sale, exchange, transfer, pledge, or other
disposition thereof, all as the board of directors may generally or from time to
time require to approve or to a successor custodian;  and the board of directors
shall  cause  all  funds  owned by the  Corporation  or to  which it may  become
entitled to be paid to the  custodian,  and shall order the same  disbursed only
for investment  against  delivery of the securities  acquired,  or in payment of
expenses, including management compensation, and liabilities of the Corporation,
including distributions to shareholders, or to a successor custodian.

Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.  The Corporation may make such other
arrangements for the custody of its assets (including deposit arrangements) as 
may be required by any applicable law, rule or regulation.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Section 11.01. Indemnification of Officers, Directors,  Employees and Agents. In
accordance with applicable law, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and Maryland Corporate law, the Corporation shall indemnify each person
who was or is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director,  officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation  as a  director,  officer,
employee, partner, trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise,  against all reasonable expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually incurred, and judgments,  fines, penalties and amounts
paid in  settlement  in connection  with such  Proceeding to the maximum  extent
permitted  by law,  now  existing  or  hereafter  adopted.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the following provisions shall apply with respect to indemnification
of the Corporation's directors,  officers, and investment manager (as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended):

         (a)  Whether  or not  there is an  adjudication  of  liability  in such
         Proceeding, the Corporation shall not indemnify any such person for any
         liability arising by reason of such person's willful  misfeasance,  bad
         faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties involved
         in the conduct of his or her office or under any  contract or agreement
         with the Corporation ("disabling conduct").

         (b) The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person unless:

                  (1) the court or other body before  which the  Proceeding  was
                  brought (a)  dismisses the  Proceeding  for  insufficiency  of
                  evidence  of any  disabling  conduct,  or (b)  reaches a final
                  decision  on the  merits  that such  person  was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct; or

                  (2) absent  such a decision,  a  reasonable  determination  is
                  made,  based upon a review of the facts,  by (a) the vote of a
                  majority of a quorum of the directors of the  Corporation  who
                  are neither  interested  persons of the Corporation as defined
                  in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor parties
                  to the Proceeding, or (b) if such quorum is not obtainable, or
                  even if  obtainable,  if a majority  of a quorum of  directors
                  described  above so directs,  based upon a written  opinion by
                  independent legal counsel,  that such person was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct.

         (c)  Reasonable  expenses  (including   attorneys'  fees)  incurred  in
         defending a  Proceeding  involving  any such person will be paid by the
         Corporation  in  advance  of the  final  disposition  thereof  upon  an
         undertaking  by  such  person  to  repay  such  expenses  unless  it is
         ultimately  determined  that he or she is entitled to  indemnification,
         if:

                  (1)  such person shall provide adequate security for his or
                       her undertaking;

                  (2) the Corporation shall be insured against losses arising by
                      reason of such advance; or

                  (3) a majority of a quorum of the directors of the Corporation
                  who are  neither  interested  persons  of the  Corporation  as
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Funds II, Inc. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                  parties to the Proceeding,  or independent  legal counsel in a
                  written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily
                  available  facts,  that there is reason to  believe  that such
                  person will be found to be entitled to indemnification.

Section  11.02.  Insurance of Officers,  Directors,  Employees  and Agents.  The
Corporation   may  purchase  and   maintain   insurance  or  other   sources  of
reimbursement  to the extent  permitted by law on behalf of any person who is or
was a  director,  officer,  employee or agent of the  Corporation,  or is or was
serving at the  request of the  Corporation  as a director,  officer,  employee,
partner,  trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other enterprise  against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in or arising out of his position.

Section 11.03. Non-exclusivity.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided  by,  or  granted  pursuant  to,  this  Article  XI shall not be deemed
exclusive  of any  other  rights  to  which  those  seeking  indemnification  or
advancement  of expenses may be entitled  under the  Articles of  Incorporation,
these By-Laws,  agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both
as to  action  in his or her  official  capacity  and as to  action  in  another
capacity while holding such office.

Section 11.04. Amendment. No amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article or
the adoption, alteration or amendment of any other provisions to the Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws  inconsistent  with this Article shall adversely affect
any right or protection of any person under this Article with respect to any act
or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment,  alteration, repeal or
adoption.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   AMENDMENTS

Section 12.01. General.  Except as provided in Section 12.02 of this Article XII
and  subject  to the  provisions  concerning  stockholder  voting in  Article II
hereof,  all  By-laws  of the  Corporation,  whether  adopted  by the  board  of
directors or the  stockholders,  shall be subject to  amendment,  alteration  or
repeal,  and new By-laws may be made by the affirmative vote of either:  (a) the
holders  of  record  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of stock of the
Corporation  entitled to vote, at any meeting, the notice or waiver of notice of
which shall have  specified or summarized  the proposed  amendment,  alteration,
repeal or new By-law; or (b) a majority of directors,  at any meeting the notice
or waiver of notice of which shall have  specified  or  summarized  the proposed
amendment, alteration, repeal or new By-law.

Section  12.02.  By  Stockholders  Only.  No  amendment  of any section of these
By-laws  shall be made  except by the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  if the
By-laws provide that such section may not be amended, altered or repealed except
by the  stockholders.  From and after the  issuance of any shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation no amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article XII
shall be made except by the stockholders of the Corporation.


                                     - 10 -






[DESCRIPTION]            AMENDED BY-LAWS

                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS


                                       OF


                        BULL & BEAR GOLD INVESTORS, LTD.


                             A MARYLAND CORPORATION



                                DECEMBER 11, 1997


<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE I - NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF OFFICES AND SEAL...............  1
         Section 1.01.  Name................................................  1
         Section 1.02.  Principal Offices...................................  1
         Section 1.03.  Seal................................................  1

ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS...................................................  1
         Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.....................................  1
         Section 2.02.  Special Meetings....................................  1
         Section 2.03.  Notice of Meetings..................................  1
         Section 2.04.  Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings..................  1
         Section 2.05.  Voting and Inspectors...............................  1
         Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.................................  2
         Section 2.07.  Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders...............  2
         Section 2.08.  Action Without Meeting..............................  2

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS............................................  2
         Section 3.01.  General Powers......................................  2
         Section 3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.......................  2
         Section 3.03.  Power to Declare Dividends..........................  2
         Section 3.04.  Number and Term of Directors........................  3
         Section 3.05.  Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships...........  3
         Section 3.06.  Removal.............................................  3
         Section 3.07.  Regular Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.08.  Special Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.09.  Waiver of Notice....................................  3
         Section 3.10.  Quorum and Voting...................................  3
         Section 3.11.  Action Without a Meeting............................  4
         Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors...........................  4
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES.....................................................  4
         Section 4.01.  Organization........................................  4
         Section 4.02.  Powers of the Executive Committee...................  4
         Section 4.03.  Powers of Other Committees of the Board of Directors  4
         Section 4.04.  Proceedings and Quorum..............................  4
         Section 4.05.  Other Committees....................................  4

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS........................................................  4
         Section 5.01.  Officers............................................  4
         Section 5.02.  Election, Tenure and Qualifications.................  4
         Section 5.03.  Vacancies and Newly Created Offices.................  4
         Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.............................  5
         Section 5.05.  Chairman of the Board...............................  5
         Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board..........................  5
         Section 5.07.  President, Co-President.............................  5
         Section 5.08.  Vice President......................................  5
         Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers..................  5
         Section 5.10.  Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.................  5
         Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers................................  5
         Section 5.12.  Remuneration........................................  5
         Section 5.13.  Surety Bonds........................................  6

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES.................  6
         Section 6.01.  General.............................................  6
         Section 6.02.  Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc..........................  6
         Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities................................  6

ARTICLE VII - CAPITAL STOCK.................................................  6
         Section 7.01.  Certificates of Stock...............................  6
         Section 7.02.  Transfer of Shares..................................  6
         Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and Registrars......................  6
         Section 7.04.  Fixing of Record Date...............................  7
         Section 7.05.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates..............  7

ARTICLE VIII - CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS............................  7
         Section 8.01.  Validity of Contract or Transactions................  7
         Section 8.02.  Dealings............................................  7


                                        i

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT.....................................  7
         Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.........................................  7
         Section 9.02.  Accountant..........................................  7

ARTICLE X - CUSTODY OF SECURITIES...........................................  8
         Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian..........................  8
         Section 10.02.  Termination of Custodian Agreement.................  8
         Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian Contract...................  8
         Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.................................  8

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE..................................  8
         Section 11.01.  Indemnification of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  8
         Section 11.02.  Insurance of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  9
         Section 11.03.  Non-exclusivity....................................  9
         Section 11.04.  Amendment..........................................  9

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS....................................................  9
         Section 12.01.  General............................................  9
         Section 12.02.  By Stockholders Only...............................  9


                                       ii

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                       OF

                        BULL & BEAR GOLD INVESTORS, LTD.

                            (A MARYLAND CORPORATION)


                                    ARTICLE I
                        NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF
                                OFFICES AND SEAL


Section 1.01.  Name.  The name of the Corporation is Bull & Bear Gold Investors,
                      Ltd.
                      

Section 1.02.  Principal Offices. The principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland shall be located in Baltimore,  Maryland. The Corporation may,
in addition, establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as
the board of directors may, from time to time, determine.

Section 1.03.  Seal. The corporate seal of the Corporation  shall consist of two
(2) concentric circles, between which shall be the name of the Corporation,  and
in the center shall be inscribed  the year of its  incorporation,  and the words
"Corporate  Seal." The form of the seal shall be  subject to  alteration  by the
board of  directors  and the seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be
impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced. Any officer or director
of the  Corporation  shall have  authority  to affix the  corporate  seal of the
Corporation to any document requiring the same.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.  There shall be no stockholders' meetings for 
the election of directors and the transaction of other proper business except as
required by law or as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.02.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called
at any time by the chairman of the board or the president or a co-president  and
shall be held at such  time and  place as may be  stated  in the  notice  of the
meeting.  The secretary shall call a special meeting of the  stockholders on the
written request of stockholders  entitled to cast at least a majority of all the
votes  entitled to be cast at the meeting.  Such request shall state the purpose
of such  meeting and the matters  proposed to be acted on thereat,  and no other
business shall be transacted at any such special  meeting.  The secretary  shall
inform such  stockholders  of the  reasonably  estimated  costs of preparing and
mailing the notice of the meeting,  and upon payment to the  Corporation of such
costs,  the secretary shall give not less than ten nor more than 90 days' notice
of the time,  place and purpose of the meeting in the manner provided in Section
2.03 of this Article II.

Section 2.03. Notice of Meetings. The secretary shall cause notice of the place,
date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise  required by
law,  the  purpose or  purposes  for which the  meeting is called,  to be served
personally or to be mailed,  postage prepaid,  not less than 10 nor more than 90
days before the date of the  meeting,  to each  stockholder  entitled to vote at
such meeting at his address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation  at
the time of such mailing.  Notice shall be deemed to be given when  deposited in
the United States mail addressed to the stockholders as aforesaid.

Notice of any  stockholders'  meeting need not be given to any  stockholder  who
shall sign a written  waiver of such notice  whether before or after the time of
such meeting,  which waiver shall be filed with the records of such meeting,  or
to any stockholder who is present at such meeting in person or by proxy.  Notice
of adjournment of a  stockholders'  meeting to another time or place need not be
given if such time and place are announced at the meeting.

Irregularities  in the notice of any meeting to, or the  nonreceipt  of any such
notice by, any of the  stockholders  shall not invalidate  any action  otherwise
properly taken by or at any such meeting.

Section  2.04.  Quorum  and  Adjournment  of  Meetings.   The  presence  at  any
stockholders'  meeting, in person or by proxy, of stockholders  entitled to cast
one-third  of all votes  entitled  to be cast  thereat  shall be  necessary  and
sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that
with respect to any matter to be voted upon separately by any Series (as defined
in the Articles of  Incorporation) or class of shares, a quorum shall consist of
the holders of one-third of the shares of that Series or class  outstanding  and
entitled to vote on the matter.  In the  absence of a quorum,  the  stockholders
present in person or by proxy or, if no stockholder  entitled to vote is present
in person  or by proxy,  any  officer  present  entitled  to  preside  or act as
secretary of such meeting may adjourn the meeting  without  determining the date
of the new  meeting or from time to time  without  further  notice to a date not
more than 120 days after the original  record date. Any business that might have
been transacted at the meeting  originally  called may be transacted at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


Section  2.05.  Voting and  Inspectors.  At every  stockholders'  meeting,  each
stockholder  shall be entitled to one vote for each share and a fractional  vote
for each  fraction  of a share of stock of the  Corporation  validly  issued and
outstanding  and  standing  in his name on the books of the  Corporation  on the
record date fixed in accordance with Section 7.04 hereof, either in person or by
proxy appointed by instrument in writing  subscribed by such  stockholder or his
duly authorized attorney, except that no shares held by the Corporation shall be
entitled to a vote; provided, however, that (a) as to any matter with respect to
which a separate vote of any series is required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended,  or by the Maryland General  Corporation Law, such requirement
as to a separate  vote by that  series  shall  apply;  (b) in the event that the
separate vote requirements referred to in (a) above apply with respect to one or
more  series,  then,  subject to (c) below,  the shares of all other such one or
more  series  shall  vote as a single  series;  and (c) as to any  matter  which
affects the interest of only a particular series,  only the holders of shares of
the one or more affected series shall be entitled to vote.

If no record  date has been  fixed,  the record  date for the  determination  of
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be the later of the close of business on the day on which  notice of the meeting
is mailed or the 30th day  before  the  meeting,  or, if notice is waived by all
stockholders,  at the close of  business  on the 11th day  preceding  the day on
which the meeting is held.

Except as otherwise  specifically  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation or
these  By-laws or as required by  provisions  of the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended,  all matters shall be decided by a vote of the majority of the
votes validly cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  The vote upon any
question shall be by ballot  whenever  requested by any person entitled to vote,
but, unless such a request is made,  voting may be conducted in any way approved
by the meeting.

At any meeting at which there is an election of  directors,  the chairman of the
meeting may appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an oath
or affirmation  to execute  faithfully the duties of inspectors at such election
with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,  and shall,
after the  election,  make a  certificate  of the result of the vote  taken.  No
candidate for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector.

Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.  The right to vote by proxy shall exist only
if the  instrument  authorizing  such proxy to act shall have been signed by the
stockholder  or by  his  duly  authorized  attorney.  Unless  a  proxy  provides
otherwise, it shall not be valid more than 11 months after its date. All proxies
shall be delivered to the secretary of the  Corporation  or to the person acting
as secretary of the meeting  before being voted,  who shall decide all questions
concerning  qualification of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance
or rejection of votes.  If  inspectors  of election  have been  appointed by the
chairman of the meeting,  such  inspectors  shall decide all such  questions.  A
proxy with  respect to stock  held in the name of two or more  persons  shall be
valid if  executed  by one of them  unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy
the Corporation  receives from any one of them a specific  written notice to the
contrary  and a copy of the  instrument  or  order  which so  provides.  A proxy
purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid
unless challenged at or prior to its exercise.

Section 2.07. Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the
secretary or  assistant  secretary  of the  Corporation  to cause an original or
duplicate   stock  ledger   containing  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the
stockholders  and the  number  of  shares  held  by  them,  respectively,  to be
maintained at the office of the Corporation's  transfer agent. Such stock ledger
may be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written
form within a reasonable  time for visual  inspection.  Any one or more persons,
each of whom has been a stockholder of record of the  Corporation  for more than
six months next preceding  such request,  who owns in the aggregate five percent
or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation,  may submit (unless
the Corporation at the time of the request maintains a duplicate stock ledger at
its  principal  office in  Maryland)  a written  request  to any  officer of the
Corporation or its resident agent in Maryland for a list of the  stockholders of
the  Corporation.  Within 20 days after such a request,  there shall be prepared
and filed at the  Corporation's  principal  office in Maryland a list containing
the names and addresses of all stockholders of the Corporation and the number of
shares of each  class  held by each  stockholder,  certified  as  correct  by an
officer of the Corporation, by its stock transfer agent, or by its registrar.

Section 2.08.  Action Without  Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted to be
taken by  stockholders  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  may be taken  without a
meeting if (a) all  stockholders  entitled to vote on the matter  consent to the
action in writing,  (b) all  stockholders  entitled to notice of the meeting but
not  entitled to vote at it sign a written  waiver of any right to dissent,  and
(c) the  consents  and  waivers  are filed with the  records of the  meetings of
stockholders.  Such  consent  shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at the
meeting.


                                   ARTICLE III
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. General Powers.  Except as otherwise provided by operation of law,
by the Articles of Incorporation,  or by these By-laws,  the property,  business
and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed under the direction of and all
the powers of the  Corporation  shall be exercised by or under  authority of its
board of directors.

                                      - 2 -

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                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

Section  3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.  The board of directors  may from
time  to  time  issue  and  sell or  cause  to be  issued  and  sold  any of the
Corporation's  authorized  shares to such persons and for such  consideration as
the board of directors  shall deem  advisable,  subject to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation.

Section 3.03. Power to Declare Dividends.  The board of directors,  from time to
time as they may deem advisable, may declare and pay dividends in stock, cash or
other property of the Corporation, out of any source available for dividends, to
the  stockholders   according  to  their  respective  rights  and  interests  in
accordance  with the provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation.  The board of
directors may prescribe from time to time that dividends declared may be payable
at the  election  of any of the  stockholders  (exercisable  before or after the
declaration  of the dividend),  either in cash or in shares of the  Corporation,
provided that the sum of the cash dividend  actually paid to any stockholder and
the asset value of the shares received  (determined as of such time as the board
of directors shall have prescribed,  pursuant to the Articles of  Incorporation,
with respect to shares sold on the date of such  election)  shall not exceed the
full amount of cash to which the stockholder  would be entitled if he elected to
receive only cash.  The board of directors  shall cause to be  accompanied  by a
written  statement any dividend  payment  wholly or partly from any source other
than:

         (a) the Corporation's  accumulated undistributed net income (determined
         in  accordance  with  good  accounting   practice  and  the  rules  and
         regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission  then in effect)
         and  not  including  profits  or  losses  realized  upon  the  sale  of
         securities or other properties; or

         (b) the  Corporation's  net  income so  determined  for the  current or
         preceding fiscal year.

Such statement shall  adequately  disclose the source or sources of such payment
and the basis of  calculation,  and shall be in such form as the  Securities and
Exchange Commission may prescribe.

Section  3.04.  Number and Term of  Directors.  Except for the initial  board of
directors, the board of directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more
than fifteen directors, as specified by a resolution of a majority of the entire
board of directors and at least one member of the board of directors  shall be a
person who is not an  "interested  person" of the  Corporation,  as that term is
defined in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended.  All other directors
may be interested  persons of the  Corporation  if the  requirements  of Section
10(d)  of the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as  amended,  are  met by the
Corporation  and its investment  manager.  Each director shall hold office until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier  death,  resignation
or removal.

All acts done at any  meeting  of the  directors  or by any  person  acting as a
director,  so  long as his  successor  shall  not  have  been  duly  elected  or
appointed,  shall,  notwithstanding that it be afterwards  discovered that there
was some defect in the election of the  directors or of such person  acting as a
director  or that they or any of them were  disqualified,  be as valid as if the
directors  or such other  person,  as the case may be, had been duly elected and
were or was qualified to be directors or a director of the Corporation.

Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 3.05. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.  If any vacancies shall
occur in the board of  directors  by reason of death,  resignation,  removal  or
otherwise,  or if the  authorized  number of directors  shall be increased,  the
directors  then in office  shall  continue to act,  and such  vacancies  (if not
previously  filled  by the  stockholders)  may be filled  by a  majority  of the
directors  then in  office,  although  less than a quorum,  except  that a newly
created  directorship  may be filled only by a majority vote of the entire board
of directors; provided, however, that immediately after filling such vacancy, at
least  two-thirds  (2/3) of the  directors  then holding  office shall have been
elected to such office by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that
at any  time,  other  than the time  preceding  the first  annual  stockholders'
meeting, less than a majority of the directors of the Corporation holding office
at that time were  elected by the  stockholders,  a meeting of the  stockholders
shall be held  promptly  and in any  event  within  60 days for the  purpose  of
electing  directors  to fill any existing  vacancies in the board of  directors,
unless the Securities and Exchange Commission shall by order extend such period.

Section 3.06.  Removal.  At any  stockholders'  meeting duly called,  provided a
quorum is present,  the stockholders may remove any director from office (either
with or  without  cause)  by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of all votes
represented at the meeting,  and at the same meeting a duly qualified  successor
or successors  may be elected to fill any resulting  vacancies by a plurality of
the votes validly cast.

Section  3.07.  Regular  Meetings.  The  meeting of the board of  directors  for
choosing officers and transacting other proper business, and all other meetings,
shall be held at such time and place,  within or outside the state of  Maryland,
as the board may  determine and as provided by  resolution.  Except as otherwise
provided  in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as  amended,  notice of such
meetings need not be given,  following the annual  meeting of  stockholders,  if
any,  provided  that notice of any change in the time or place of such  meetings
shall be sent promptly to each director not present at the meeting at which such
change was made, in the manner provided for notice of special  meetings.  Except
as otherwise  provided  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended,
members  of the board of  directors  or any  committee  designated  thereby  may
participate  in a meeting of such board or  committee  by means of a  conference
telephone or similar communications equipment that allows

                                      - 3 -

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                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

all  persons  participating  in the meeting to hear each other at the same time;
and  participation  by such  means  shall  constitute  presence  in  person at a
meeting.

Section 3.08. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall
be held  whenever  called by the  chairman  of the board or the  president  or a
co-president  (or, in the absence or  disability of the chairman of the board or
the  president  or a  co-president,  by any  officer  or  director,  as  they so
designate)  at the time and place  (within or outside of the State of  Maryland)
specified in the  respective  notice or waivers of notice of such  meetings.  At
least three days before the day on which a special meeting is to be held, notice
of special  meetings,  stating  the time and place,  shall be (a) mailed to each
director at his  residence or regular  place of business or (b) delivered to him
personally  or  transmitted  to him  by  telegraph,  telefax,  telex,  cable  or
wireless.

Section  3.09.  Waiver of Notice.  No notice of any meeting need be given to any
director  who is present at the meeting or who waives  notice of such meeting in
writing (which waiver shall be filed with the records of such  meeting),  either
before or after the time of the meeting.

Section 3.10. Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the board of directors,  the
presence of one-half of the number of directors then in office shall  constitute
a quorum for the  transaction of business,  provided that there shall be present
at least two directors.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors
present may  adjourn the  meeting,  from time to time,  until a quorum  shall be
present. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum  is  present  shall be the  action of the  board of  directors,  unless
concurrence  of a greater  proportion is required for such action by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

Section  3.11.  Action  Without a Meeting.  Except as otherwise  provided in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the board of  directors or of any  committee  thereof
may be taken without a meeting if a written  consent to such action is signed by
all  members  of the board or of such  committee,  as the case may be,  and such
written  consent  is filed  with the  minutes  of  proceedings  of the  board or
committee.

Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors.  Directors may receive such 
compensation for their services as may from time to time be determined by 
resolution of the board of directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COMMITTEES

Section 4.01. Organization. By resolution adopted by the board of directors, the
board may designate one or more committees of the board of directors,  including
an Executive Committee,  each consisting of at least two directors.  Each member
of a committee  shall be a director and shall hold  committee  membership at the
pleasure of the board.  The chairman of the board,  if any, shall be a member of
the Executive Committee. The board of directors shall have the power at any time
to  change  the  members  of  such  committees  and  to  fill  vacancies  in the
committees.

Section 4.02. Powers of the Executive  Committee.  Unless otherwise  provided by
resolution  of the board of  directors,  when the board of  directors  is not in
session the  Executive  Committee  shall have and may exercise all powers of the
board  of  directors  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation that may lawfully be exercised by an Executive  Committee except the
power to declare a dividend or distribution on stock,  authorize the issuance of
stock,  recommend to stockholders any action requiring  stockholders'  approval,
amend these By-laws, approve any merger or share exchange which does not require
stockholder  approval or approve or terminate any contract  with an  "investment
adviser"  or  "principal  underwriter,"  as  those  terms  are  defined  in  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to take any other action required
by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  to be taken by the board of
directors.  Notwithstanding  the above,  such Executive  Committee may make such
dividend  calculations  and  payments as are  consistent  with  applicable  law,
including Maryland corporate law.

Section  4.03.  Powers of Other  Committees  of the Board of  Directors.  To the
extent  provided by  resolution of the board,  other  committees of the board of
directors  shall have and may  exercise  any of the powers that may  lawfully be
granted to the Executive Committee.

Section  4.04.  Proceedings  and  Quorum.  In  the  absence  of  an  appropriate
resolution  of the board of directors,  each  committee may adopt such rules and
regulations  governing its proceedings,  quorum and manner of acting as it shall
deem proper and  desirable,  provided  that a quorum  shall not be less than two
directors.  In the event any member of any committee is absent from any meeting,
the members  thereof  present at the meeting,  whether or not they  constitute a
quorum,  may appoint a member of the board of  directors  to act in the place of
such absent member.

Section  4.05.  Other  Committees.  The board of  directors  may  appoint  other
committees,  each consisting of one or more persons,  who need not be directors.
Each such  committee  shall have such powers and  perform  such duties as may be
assigned  to it from  time to time by the  board of  directors,  but  shall  not
exercise  any  power  which  may  lawfully  be  exercised  only by the  board of
directors or a committee thereof.

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Officers.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a president or
co-presidents,  a secretary,  and a treasurer,  and may include one or more vice
presidents   (including   executive  and  senior  vice  presidents),   assistant
secretaries or assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof. The board of directors
may, but shall not be required  to,  elect a chairman  and vice  chairman of the
board.

Section  5.02.  Election,  Tenure  and  Qualifications.   The  officers  of  the
Corporation  (except those  appointed  pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof) shall be
elected  by the board of  directors  at its  first  meeting  or such  subsequent
meetings as shall be held prior to its first annual  meeting,  and thereafter at
regular board  meetings,  as required by applicable law. If any officers are not
elected at any annual  meeting,  such officers may be elected at any  subsequent
meetings of the board.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Article V, each
officer  elected by the board of  directors  shall hold office  until his or her
successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any person may hold one or more
offices of the Corporation  except that no one person may serve  concurrently as
both the president or a co-president and vice president. A person who holds more
than one  office in the  Corporation  may not act in more than one  capacity  to
execute,  acknowledge,  or verify an instrument  required by law to be executed,
acknowledged,  or verified by more than one  officer.  The chairman of the board
shall be chosen from among the  directors of the  Corporation  and may hold such
office only so long as he continues to be a director. No other officer need be a
director.

Section 5.03. Vacancies and Newly Created Offices. If any vacancy shall occur in
any office by reason of death, resignation,  removal,  disqualification or other
cause,  or if any new office shall be created,  such  vacancies or newly created
offices  may be filled by the  chairman  of the board at any  meeting or, in the
case of any office created pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof,  by any officer upon
whom such power shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.  At any meeting called for such purpose,
the  Executive  Committee  may remove any officer  from office  (either  with or
without cause) by the affirmative  vote, given at the meeting,  of a majority of
the members of the Committee.  Any officer may resign from office at any time by
delivering a written  resignation to the board of directors,  the president or a
co-president,  the  secretary,  or any  assistant  secretary.  Unless  otherwise
specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 5.05. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if there be such
an officer, shall be the senior officer of the Corporation, shall preside at all
stockholders'  meetings and at all meetings of the board of directors  and shall
be ex officio a member of all  committees  of the board of  directors.  He shall
have such other  powers and perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the board of directors.

Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board.  The board of directors may from time
to time elect a vice chairman who shall have such powers and perform such duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors,  chairman
of the board or the  president or a  co-president.  At the request of, or in the
absence or in the event of the disability of the chairman of the board, the vice
chairman  may  perform  all the  duties  of the  chairman  of the  board  or the
president or a  co-president  and, when so acting,  shall have all the powers of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon such respective officers.

Section 5.07. President,  Co-President.  The president or co-presidents shall be
the chief executive officer or co-chief executive officers,  as the case may be,
of the  Corporation  and,  in the  absence of the  chairman of the board or vice
chairman or if no chairman of the board or vice chairman has been chosen,  shall
preside  at all  stockholders'  meetings  and at all  meetings  of the  board of
directors and shall in general exercise the powers and perform the duties of the
chairman of the board. Subject to the supervision of the board of directors, the
president  or the  co-presidents  shall  have  general  charge of the  business,
affairs  and  property  of the  Corporation  and  general  supervision  over its
officers,  employees and agents.  Except as the board of directors may otherwise
order, the president or a co-president may sign in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation  all deeds,  bonds,  contracts,  or  agreements.  The president or a
co-president  shall  exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.

Section 5.08. Vice President. The board of directors may from time to time elect
one or more vice presidents (including executive and senior vice presidents) who
shall  have such  powers  and  perform  such  duties as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the board of directors or the  president or a  co-president.
At the request of, or in the absence or in the event of the  disability  of, the
president or both  co-presidents,  the vice  president  (or, if there are two or
more vice presidents, then the senior of the vice presidents present and able to
act) may perform all the duties of the president or  co-presidents  and, when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the president or co-presidents.

Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant  Treasurers.  The treasurer  shall be the
chief accounting officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge of the
finances and books of account of the Corporation.  The treasurer shall render to
the board of  directors,  whenever  directed  by the  board,  an  account of the
financial condition of the Corporation and of all transactions as treasurer; and
as soon as possible after the close of

                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

each  financial  year he shall make and submit to the board of  directors a like
report  for such  financial  year.  The  treasurer  shall  cause to be  prepared
annually  a full and  complete  statement  of the  affairs  of the  Corporation,
including  a balance  sheet and a  financial  statement  of  operations  for the
preceding  fiscal  year,  which  shall be  submitted  at the  annual  meeting of
stockholders  (when,  and if,  such  meeting  is held) and filed  within 20 days
thereafter at the principal  office of the Corporation in the state of Maryland,
except  that for any year when an annual  meeting of  stockholders  is not held,
such statement of affairs shall be filed at the  Corporation's  principal office
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.  The  treasurer  shall perform
all acts  incidental to the office of  treasurer,  subject to the control of the
board of directors.

Any  assistant  treasurer  may  perform  such  duties  of the  treasurer  as the
treasurer  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
treasurer, may perform all the duties of the treasurer.

Section 5.10. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend to
the giving and serving of all notices of the  Corporation  and shall  record all
proceedings  of the meetings of the  stockholders  and  directors in books to be
kept for that purpose.  The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the
Corporation,  and shall have  responsibility for the records of the Corporation,
including  the stock  books  and such  other  books  and  papers as the board of
directors may direct and such books,  reports,  certificates and other documents
required by law to be kept, all of which shall at all  reasonable  times be open
to  inspection by any  director.  The secretary  shall perform such other duties
which appertain to this office or as may be required by the board of directors.

Any  assistant  secretary  may  perform  such  duties  of the  secretary  as the
secretary  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
secretary, may perform all the duties of the secretary.

Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers. The chairman of the board from time to time
may appoint such other officers or agents as he may deem advisable, each of whom
shall have such title,  hold office for such  period,  have such  authority  and
perform such duties as the board of directors may determine. The chairman of the
board from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or agents the power
to  appoint  any such  subordinate  officers  or agents and to  prescribe  their
respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any officer or agent
appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.11 may be removed,
either with or without  cause,  by any  officer  upon whom such power of removal
shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.12.  Remuneration.  The salaries or other compensation of the officers
of the  Corporation  shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board
of directors,  except that the board of directors may by resolution  delegate to
any  person  or  group  of  persons  the  power  to fix the  salaries  or  other
compensation of any subordinate  officers or agents appointed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof.

Section 5.13.  Surety  Bonds.  The board of directors may require any officer or
agent of the Corporation to execute a bond (including,  without limitation,  any
bond required by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  and the rules
and   regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission   promulgated
thereunder)  to the  Corporation in such sum and with such surety or sureties as
the board of directors may determine,  conditioned upon the faithful performance
of his or her duties to the Corporation, including responsibility for negligence
and for the accounting of any of the Corporation's property, funds or securities
that may come into his hands.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                 EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES

Section 6.01.  General.  Subject to the provisions of Sections  5.07,  6.02, and
7.03 hereof, all deeds, documents,  transfers,  contracts,  agreements and other
instruments  requiring  execution  by the  Corporation  shall be  signed  by the
president or a co-president,  a vice president  (including  executive and senior
vice presidents), chairman or vice chairman and by the treasurer or secretary or
an assistant treasurer or an assistant  secretary,  or as the board of directors
may  otherwise,  from time to time,  authorize.  Any such  authorization  may be
general or confined to specific instances.

Section 6.02.  Checks,  Notes,  Drafts,  Etc. So long as the  Corporation  shall
employ  a  custodian  to  keep  custody  of  the  cash  and  securities  of  the
Corporation,  all checks and drafts for the payment of money by the  Corporation
may be  signed  in the  name of the  Corporation  by the  custodian.  Except  as
otherwise  authorized by the board of directors,  all requisitions or orders for
the  assignment  of  securities  standing  in the name of the  custodian  or its
nominee, or for the execution of powers to transfer the same, shall be signed in
the name of the  Corporation  by any two of the  following:  the  president or a
co-president,  vice president  (including executive and senior vice presidents),
treasurer or an assistant treasurer, provided that no one person may sign in the
capacity of two such officers. Promissory notes, checks or drafts payable to the
Corporation  may be endorsed  only to the order of the  custodian or its nominee
and  only  by any  two of the  following:  the  treasurer,  the  president  or a
co-president,  a vice president (including executive and senior vice presidents)
or by such  other  person  or  persons  as shall be  authorized  by the board of
directors,  provided  that no one  person may sign in the  capacity  of two such
officers.

Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities.  Unless otherwise ordered by the board of 
directors, the president or a co-president, or any vice president (including 
executive and senior vice presidents) shall have full power and

                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd.  
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

authority on behalf of the  Corporation  to attend and to act and to vote, or in
the name of the  Corporation  to  execute  proxies  to vote,  at any  meeting of
stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock. At any such
meeting such officer  shall possess and may exercise (in person or by proxy) any
and all rights,  powers and privileges  incident to the ownership of such stock.
The board of directors  may by  resolution  from time to time confer like powers
upon any other  person or  persons in  accordance  with the laws of the State of
Maryland.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

Section 7.01.  Certificates  of Stock.  The interest of each  stockholder of the
Corporation  may be, but shall not be required to be,  evidenced by certificates
for  shares  of  stock in such  form  not  inconsistent  with  the  Articles  of
Incorporation  as the board of  directors  may from time to time  authorize.  No
certificate shall be valid unless it is signed in the name of the Corporation by
a president or a  co-president  or a vice  president  and  countersigned  by the
secretary or an assistant  secretary or the treasurer or an assistant  treasurer
of the  Corporation  and sealed with the seal of the  Corporation,  or bears the
facsimile  signatures of such officers and a facsimile of such seal. In case any
officer who shall have signed any such certificate, or whose facsimile signature
has been placed  thereon,  shall cease to be such an officer  (because of death,
resignation or otherwise)  before such  certificate is issued,  such certificate
may be issued and  delivered  by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he
were such officer at the date of issue.

The number of each certificate issued, the name and address of the person owning
the  shares  represented  thereby,  the  number of such  shares  and the date of
issuance  shall be entered upon the stock ledger of the  Corporation at the time
of issuance.

Every certificate exchanged, surrendered for redemption or otherwise returned to
the Corporation shall be marked "canceled" with the date of cancellation.

Section  7.02.   Transfer  of  Shares.   Shares  of  the  Corporation  shall  be
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof (in
person or by his duly  authorized  attorney  or legal  representative)  (a) if a
certificate or  certificates  have been issued,  upon surrender duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with such proof of
the  authenticity  of  the  signature  as the  Corporation  or  its  agents  may
reasonably  require,  or (b) as otherwise  prescribed by the board of directors.
Except as  otherwise  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation,  the shares of
stock of the Corporation may be freely  transferred,  subject to the charging of
customary  transfer  fees,  and the board of directors  may,  from time to time,
adopt  rules and  regulations  with  reference  to the method of transfer of the
shares of stock of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall be entitled to treat
the holder of record of any share of stock as the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes,  and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal,  equitable
or other  claim or  interest  in such  share  on the part of any  other  person,
whether  or not it  shall  have  express  or other  notice  thereof,  except  as
otherwise expressly provided by law or the statutes of the State of Maryland.

Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and  Registrars.  The board of directors may from
time to time appoint or remove  transfer  agents or  registrars of transfers for
shares of stock of the  Corporation,  and it may appoint the same person as both
transfer  agent  and  registrar.  Upon  any  such  appointment  being  made  all
certificates  representing  shares of capital stock  thereafter  issued shall be
countersigned  by one of such  transfer  agents or by one of such  registrars of
transfers or by both and shall not be valid unless so countersigned. If the same
person shall be both transfer agent and registrar,  only one countersignature by
such person shall be required.

Section 7.04. Fixing of Record Date. The board of directors may fix in advance a
date as a record  date for the  determination  of the  stockholders  entitled to
notice of or to vote at any stockholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof, or
to express  consent to  corporate  action in  writing  without a meeting,  or to
receive  payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any
rights,  or to  exercise  any  rights in respect of any  change,  conversion  or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,  provided that
(a) such  record  date  shall be within  90 days  prior to the date on which the
particular  action  requiring such  determination  will be taken,  except that a
meeting  of  stockholders  convened  on the date for which it was  called may be
adjourned  from time to time without  further notice to a date not more than 120
days after the original  record date; (b) the transfer books shall not be closed
for a  period  longer  than  20  days;  and  (c) in the  case  of a  meeting  of
stockholders,  the record  date shall be at least 10 days before the date of the
meeting.

Section  7.05.  Lost,  Stolen or Destroyed  Certificates.  Before  issuing a new
certificate  for stock of the Corporation  alleged to have been lost,  stolen or
destroyed, the board of directors or any officer authorized by the board may, in
its discretion,  require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed  certificate
(or his legal representative) to give the Corporation a bond or other indemnity,
in such form and in such amount as the board or any such  officer may direct and
with such  surety or sureties  as may be  satisfactory  to the board or any such
officer,  sufficient to indemnify the Corporation  against any claim that may be
made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.



                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                        CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Section  8.01.  Validity  of  Contract  or  Transactions.  In the event that any
officer  or  director  of the  Corporation  shall have any  interest,  direct or
indirect,  in any other firm,  association or corporation as officer,  employee,
director or stockholder, no transaction or contract made by the Corporation with
any such other  firm,  association  or  corporation  shall be valid  unless such
interest shall have been disclosed or made known to all of the directors or to a
majority of the  directors  and such  transaction  or  contract  shall have been
approved by a majority of a quorum of directors, which majority shall consist of
directors not having any such interest or a majority of the directors in office,
including directors having such an interest.

Section  8.02.  Dealings.  No officer,  director or employee of the  Corporation
shall deal for or on behalf of the  Corporation  with  himself,  as principal or
agent,  or with any  corporation  or  partnership  in  which he has a  financial
interest, except that:

         (a) Such prohibition shall not prevent officers, directors or employees
         of the Corporation from having a financial interest in the Corporation,
         or the sponsor,  or a distributor of the shares of the Corporation,  or
         the investment manager or counsel of the Corporation;

         (b) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase of securities for
         the portfolio of the Corporation or the sale of securities owned by the
         Corporation through a securities broker, one or more of whose partners,
         officers  or  directors  is an  officer,  director  or  employee of the
         Corporation,  provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of
         broker,  only,  and  provided  they are  performed in  accordance  with
         applicable law;

         (c) Such prohibition shall not prevent the employment of legal counsel,
         registrar,  transfer agent,  dividend disbursing agent, or custodian or
         trustee  having a  partner,  officer  or  director  who is an  officer,
         director or employee of the  Corporation,  provided only customary fees
         are charged for services rendered for the benefit of the Corporation;

         (d) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase for the portfolio
         of the Corporation of securities issued by an issuer having an officer,
         director or security holder who is an officer,  director or employee of
         the  Corporation  or of  the  manager  or  investment  counsel  of  the
         Corporation,  unless at the time of such  purchase  one or more of such
         officers,  directors or employees owns  beneficially more than one-half
         of one per cent (1/2%) of the shares or  securities,  or both,  of such
         issuer and such  officers,  directors  and  employees  owning more than
         one-half of one per cent (1/2%) of such shares or  securities  together
         own  beneficially  more  than  five per  cent  (5%) of such  shares  or
         securities.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                           FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT

Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall, unless 
otherwise ordered by the board of directors, be twelve calendar months ending on
the 31st day of December.

Section 9.02.  Accountant.  The Corporation  shall employ an independent  public
accountant or a firm of  independent  public  accountants  as its  accountant to
examine  the  accounts  of the  Corporation  and to sign and  certify  financial
statements filed by the Corporation.  The accountant's  certificates and reports
shall be addressed both to the board of directors and to the  stockholders.  The
employment  of the  accountant  shall  be  conditioned  upon  the  right  of the
Corporation to terminate the employment forthwith without any penalty by vote of
a majority of the outstanding  voting  securities at any  stockholders'  meeting
called for that purpose.

A majority  of the  members of the board of  directors  who are not  "interested
persons" (as defined in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the
Corporation  shall  select the  accountant  at any  meeting  held within 90 days
before or after the  beginning of the fiscal year of the  Corporation  or before
the annual  stockholders'  meeting (if any) in that year. The selection shall be
submitted  for   ratification  or  rejection  at  the  next  succeeding   annual
stockholders'  meeting,  if  any,  when  and if such  meeting  is  held.  If the
selection  is  rejected at that  meeting,  the  accountant  shall be selected by
majority vote of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities,  either at the
meeting  at  which  the  rejection  occurred  or  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of
stockholders called for the purpose of selecting an accountant.

Any vacancy  occurring  between  annual  meetings,  if any,  due to the death or
resignation  of the  accountant  may be filled by the vote of a majority  of the
members of the board of directors who are not interested persons.


                                    ARTICLE X
                              CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian.  Unless otherwise  required by law or
the Articles of Incorporation,  all securities and cash owned by the Corporation
from time to time shall be deposited with and held by a

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

custodian  or  subcustodian  qualified  to act as such in  accordance  with  the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section  10.02.  Termination  of Custodian  Agreement.  Upon  termination of the
agreement  for services  with the  custodian  or  inability of the  custodian to
continue to serve,  the board of directors  shall  promptly  appoint a successor
custodian, but in the event that no successor custodian can be found who has the
required  qualifications  and is willing to serve,  the board of directors shall
call as promptly as possible a special meeting of the  stockholders to determine
whether  the  Corporation  shall  function  without  a  custodian  or  shall  be
liquidated. If so directed by resolution of the board of directors or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Corporation held by
it as specified in such vote.

Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian  Contract.  The board of directors shall
cause to be delivered to the custodian all securities  owned by the  Corporation
or to which it may become entitled,  and shall order the same to be delivered by
the custodian only in completion of a sale, exchange, transfer, pledge, or other
disposition thereof, all as the board of directors may generally or from time to
time require to approve or to a successor custodian;  and the board of directors
shall  cause  all  funds  owned by the  Corporation  or to  which it may  become
entitled to be paid to the  custodian,  and shall order the same  disbursed only
for investment  against  delivery of the securities  acquired,  or in payment of
expenses, including management compensation, and liabilities of the Corporation,
including distributions to shareholders, or to a successor custodian.

Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.  The Corporation may make such other
arrangements for the custody of its assets (including deposit arrangements) as 
may be required by any applicable law, rule or regulation.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Section 11.01. Indemnification of Officers, Directors,  Employees and Agents. In
accordance with applicable law, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and Maryland Corporate law, the Corporation shall indemnify each person
who was or is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director,  officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation  as a  director,  officer,
employee, partner, trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise,  against all reasonable expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually incurred, and judgments,  fines, penalties and amounts
paid in  settlement  in connection  with such  Proceeding to the maximum  extent
permitted  by law,  now  existing  or  hereafter  adopted.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the following provisions shall apply with respect to indemnification
of the Corporation's directors,  officers, and investment manager (as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended):

         (a)  Whether  or not  there is an  adjudication  of  liability  in such
         Proceeding, the Corporation shall not indemnify any such person for any
         liability arising by reason of such person's willful  misfeasance,  bad
         faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties involved
         in the conduct of his or her office or under any  contract or agreement
         with the Corporation ("disabling conduct").

         (b) The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person unless:

                  (1) the court or other body before  which the  Proceeding  was
                  brought (a)  dismisses the  Proceeding  for  insufficiency  of
                  evidence  of any  disabling  conduct,  or (b)  reaches a final
                  decision  on the  merits  that such  person  was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct; or

                  (2) absent  such a decision,  a  reasonable  determination  is
                  made,  based upon a review of the facts,  by (a) the vote of a
                  majority of a quorum of the directors of the  Corporation  who
                  are neither  interested  persons of the Corporation as defined
                  in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor parties
                  to the Proceeding, or (b) if such quorum is not obtainable, or
                  even if  obtainable,  if a majority  of a quorum of  directors
                  described  above so directs,  based upon a written  opinion by
                  independent legal counsel,  that such person was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct.

         (c)  Reasonable  expenses  (including   attorneys'  fees)  incurred  in
         defending a  Proceeding  involving  any such person will be paid by the
         Corporation  in  advance  of the  final  disposition  thereof  upon  an
         undertaking  by  such  person  to  repay  such  expenses  unless  it is
         ultimately  determined  that he or she is entitled to  indemnification,
         if:

                  (1)  such person shall provide adequate security for his or
                       her undertaking;

                  (2) the Corporation shall be insured against losses arising by
                      reason of such advance; or

                  (3) a majority of a quorum of the directors of the Corporation
                  who are  neither  interested  persons  of the  Corporation  as
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


                                            Bull & Bear Gold Investors, Ltd. 
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                  parties to the Proceeding,  or independent  legal counsel in a
                  written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily
                  available  facts,  that there is reason to  believe  that such
                  person will be found to be entitled to indemnification.

Section  11.02.  Insurance of Officers,  Directors,  Employees  and Agents.  The
Corporation   may  purchase  and   maintain   insurance  or  other   sources  of
reimbursement  to the extent  permitted by law on behalf of any person who is or
was a  director,  officer,  employee or agent of the  Corporation,  or is or was
serving at the  request of the  Corporation  as a director,  officer,  employee,
partner,  trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other enterprise  against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in or arising out of his position.

Section 11.03. Non-exclusivity.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided  by,  or  granted  pursuant  to,  this  Article  XI shall not be deemed
exclusive  of any  other  rights  to  which  those  seeking  indemnification  or
advancement  of expenses may be entitled  under the  Articles of  Incorporation,
these By-Laws,  agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both
as to  action  in his or her  official  capacity  and as to  action  in  another
capacity while holding such office.

Section 11.04. Amendment. No amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article or
the adoption, alteration or amendment of any other provisions to the Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws  inconsistent  with this Article shall adversely affect
any right or protection of any person under this Article with respect to any act
or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment,  alteration, repeal or
adoption.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   AMENDMENTS

Section 12.01. General.  Except as provided in Section 12.02 of this Article XII
and  subject  to the  provisions  concerning  stockholder  voting in  Article II
hereof,  all  By-laws  of the  Corporation,  whether  adopted  by the  board  of
directors or the  stockholders,  shall be subject to  amendment,  alteration  or
repeal,  and new By-laws may be made by the affirmative vote of either:  (a) the
holders  of  record  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of stock of the
Corporation  entitled to vote, at any meeting, the notice or waiver of notice of
which shall have  specified or summarized  the proposed  amendment,  alteration,
repeal or new By-law; or (b) a majority of directors,  at any meeting the notice
or waiver of notice of which shall have  specified  or  summarized  the proposed
amendment, alteration, repeal or new By-law.

Section  12.02.  By  Stockholders  Only.  No  amendment  of any section of these
By-laws  shall be made  except by the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  if the
By-laws provide that such section may not be amended, altered or repealed except
by the  stockholders.  From and after the  issuance of any shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation no amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article XII
shall be made except by the stockholders of the Corporation.


                                     - 10 -






[DESCRIPTION]            AMENDED BY-LAWS

                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS


                                       OF


                     BULL & BEAR SPECIAL EQUITIES FUND, INC.


                             A MARYLAND CORPORATION



                                DECEMBER 11, 1997


<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE I - NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF OFFICES AND SEAL...............  1
         Section 1.01.  Name................................................  1
         Section 1.02.  Principal Offices...................................  1
         Section 1.03.  Seal................................................  1

ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS...................................................  1
         Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.....................................  1
         Section 2.02.  Special Meetings....................................  1
         Section 2.03.  Notice of Meetings..................................  1
         Section 2.04.  Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings..................  1
         Section 2.05.  Voting and Inspectors...............................  1
         Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.................................  2
         Section 2.07.  Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders...............  2
         Section 2.08.  Action Without Meeting..............................  2

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS............................................  2
         Section 3.01.  General Powers......................................  2
         Section 3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.......................  2
         Section 3.03.  Power to Declare Dividends..........................  2
         Section 3.04.  Number and Term of Directors........................  3
         Section 3.05.  Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships...........  3
         Section 3.06.  Removal.............................................  3
         Section 3.07.  Regular Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.08.  Special Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.09.  Waiver of Notice....................................  3
         Section 3.10.  Quorum and Voting...................................  3
         Section 3.11.  Action Without a Meeting............................  4
         Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors...........................  4
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES.....................................................  4
         Section 4.01.  Organization........................................  4
         Section 4.02.  Powers of the Executive Committee...................  4
         Section 4.03.  Powers of Other Committees of the Board of Directors  4
         Section 4.04.  Proceedings and Quorum..............................  4
         Section 4.05.  Other Committees....................................  4

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS........................................................  4
         Section 5.01.  Officers............................................  4
         Section 5.02.  Election, Tenure and Qualifications.................  4
         Section 5.03.  Vacancies and Newly Created Offices.................  4
         Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.............................  5
         Section 5.05.  Chairman of the Board...............................  5
         Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board..........................  5
         Section 5.07.  President, Co-President.............................  5
         Section 5.08.  Vice President......................................  5
         Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers..................  5
         Section 5.10.  Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.................  5
         Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers................................  5
         Section 5.12.  Remuneration........................................  5
         Section 5.13.  Surety Bonds........................................  6

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES.................  6
         Section 6.01.  General.............................................  6
         Section 6.02.  Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc..........................  6
         Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities................................  6

ARTICLE VII - CAPITAL STOCK.................................................  6
         Section 7.01.  Certificates of Stock...............................  6
         Section 7.02.  Transfer of Shares..................................  6
         Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and Registrars......................  6
         Section 7.04.  Fixing of Record Date...............................  7
         Section 7.05.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates..............  7

ARTICLE VIII - CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS............................  7
         Section 8.01.  Validity of Contract or Transactions................  7
         Section 8.02.  Dealings............................................  7


                                        i

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT.....................................  7
         Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.........................................  7
         Section 9.02.  Accountant..........................................  7

ARTICLE X - CUSTODY OF SECURITIES...........................................  8
         Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian..........................  8
         Section 10.02.  Termination of Custodian Agreement.................  8
         Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian Contract...................  8
         Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.................................  8

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE..................................  8
         Section 11.01.  Indemnification of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  8
         Section 11.02.  Insurance of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  9
         Section 11.03.  Non-exclusivity....................................  9
         Section 11.04.  Amendment..........................................  9

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS....................................................  9
         Section 12.01.  General............................................  9
         Section 12.02.  By Stockholders Only...............................  9


                                       ii

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                       OF

                     BULL & BEAR SPECIAL EQUITIES FUND, INC.

                            (A MARYLAND CORPORATION)


                                    ARTICLE I
                        NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF
                                OFFICES AND SEAL


Section 1.01.  Name.  The name of the Corporation is Bull & Bear Special
                      Equities Fund, Inc.
                      

Section 1.02.  Principal Offices. The principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland shall be located in Baltimore,  Maryland. The Corporation may,
in addition, establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as
the board of directors may, from time to time, determine.

Section 1.03.  Seal. The corporate seal of the Corporation  shall consist of two
(2) concentric circles, between which shall be the name of the Corporation,  and
in the center shall be inscribed  the year of its  incorporation,  and the words
"Corporate  Seal." The form of the seal shall be  subject to  alteration  by the
board of  directors  and the seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be
impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced. Any officer or director
of the  Corporation  shall have  authority  to affix the  corporate  seal of the
Corporation to any document requiring the same.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.  There shall be no stockholders' meetings for 
the election of directors and the transaction of other proper business except as
required by law or as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.02.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called
at any time by the chairman of the board or the president or a co-president  and
shall be held at such  time and  place as may be  stated  in the  notice  of the
meeting.  The secretary shall call a special meeting of the  stockholders on the
written request of stockholders  entitled to cast at least a majority of all the
votes  entitled to be cast at the meeting.  Such request shall state the purpose
of such  meeting and the matters  proposed to be acted on thereat,  and no other
business shall be transacted at any such special  meeting.  The secretary  shall
inform such  stockholders  of the  reasonably  estimated  costs of preparing and
mailing the notice of the meeting,  and upon payment to the  Corporation of such
costs,  the secretary shall give not less than ten nor more than 90 days' notice
of the time,  place and purpose of the meeting in the manner provided in Section
2.03 of this Article II.

Section 2.03. Notice of Meetings. The secretary shall cause notice of the place,
date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise  required by
law,  the  purpose or  purposes  for which the  meeting is called,  to be served
personally or to be mailed,  postage prepaid,  not less than 10 nor more than 90
days before the date of the  meeting,  to each  stockholder  entitled to vote at
such meeting at his address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation  at
the time of such mailing.  Notice shall be deemed to be given when  deposited in
the United States mail addressed to the stockholders as aforesaid.

Notice of any  stockholders'  meeting need not be given to any  stockholder  who
shall sign a written  waiver of such notice  whether before or after the time of
such meeting,  which waiver shall be filed with the records of such meeting,  or
to any stockholder who is present at such meeting in person or by proxy.  Notice
of adjournment of a  stockholders'  meeting to another time or place need not be
given if such time and place are announced at the meeting.

Irregularities  in the notice of any meeting to, or the  nonreceipt  of any such
notice by, any of the  stockholders  shall not invalidate  any action  otherwise
properly taken by or at any such meeting.

Section  2.04.  Quorum  and  Adjournment  of  Meetings.   The  presence  at  any
stockholders'  meeting, in person or by proxy, of stockholders  entitled to cast
one-third  of all votes  entitled  to be cast  thereat  shall be  necessary  and
sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that
with respect to any matter to be voted upon separately by any Series (as defined
in the Articles of  Incorporation) or class of shares, a quorum shall consist of
the holders of one-third of the shares of that Series or class  outstanding  and
entitled to vote on the matter.  In the  absence of a quorum,  the  stockholders
present in person or by proxy or, if no stockholder  entitled to vote is present
in person  or by proxy,  any  officer  present  entitled  to  preside  or act as
secretary of such meeting may adjourn the meeting  without  determining the date
of the new  meeting or from time to time  without  further  notice to a date not
more than 120 days after the original  record date. Any business that might have
been transacted at the meeting  originally  called may be transacted at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


Section  2.05.  Voting and  Inspectors.  At every  stockholders'  meeting,  each
stockholder  shall be entitled to one vote for each share and a fractional  vote
for each  fraction  of a share of stock of the  Corporation  validly  issued and
outstanding  and  standing  in his name on the books of the  Corporation  on the
record date fixed in accordance with Section 7.04 hereof, either in person or by
proxy appointed by instrument in writing  subscribed by such  stockholder or his
duly authorized attorney, except that no shares held by the Corporation shall be
entitled to a vote; provided, however, that (a) as to any matter with respect to
which a separate vote of any series is required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended,  or by the Maryland General  Corporation Law, such requirement
as to a separate  vote by that  series  shall  apply;  (b) in the event that the
separate vote requirements referred to in (a) above apply with respect to one or
more  series,  then,  subject to (c) below,  the shares of all other such one or
more  series  shall  vote as a single  series;  and (c) as to any  matter  which
affects the interest of only a particular series,  only the holders of shares of
the one or more affected series shall be entitled to vote.

If no record  date has been  fixed,  the record  date for the  determination  of
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be the later of the close of business on the day on which  notice of the meeting
is mailed or the 30th day  before  the  meeting,  or, if notice is waived by all
stockholders,  at the close of  business  on the 11th day  preceding  the day on
which the meeting is held.

Except as otherwise  specifically  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation or
these  By-laws or as required by  provisions  of the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended,  all matters shall be decided by a vote of the majority of the
votes validly cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  The vote upon any
question shall be by ballot  whenever  requested by any person entitled to vote,
but, unless such a request is made,  voting may be conducted in any way approved
by the meeting.

At any meeting at which there is an election of  directors,  the chairman of the
meeting may appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an oath
or affirmation  to execute  faithfully the duties of inspectors at such election
with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,  and shall,
after the  election,  make a  certificate  of the result of the vote  taken.  No
candidate for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector.

Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.  The right to vote by proxy shall exist only
if the  instrument  authorizing  such proxy to act shall have been signed by the
stockholder  or by  his  duly  authorized  attorney.  Unless  a  proxy  provides
otherwise, it shall not be valid more than 11 months after its date. All proxies
shall be delivered to the secretary of the  Corporation  or to the person acting
as secretary of the meeting  before being voted,  who shall decide all questions
concerning  qualification of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance
or rejection of votes.  If  inspectors  of election  have been  appointed by the
chairman of the meeting,  such  inspectors  shall decide all such  questions.  A
proxy with  respect to stock  held in the name of two or more  persons  shall be
valid if  executed  by one of them  unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy
the Corporation  receives from any one of them a specific  written notice to the
contrary  and a copy of the  instrument  or  order  which so  provides.  A proxy
purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid
unless challenged at or prior to its exercise.

Section 2.07. Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the
secretary or  assistant  secretary  of the  Corporation  to cause an original or
duplicate   stock  ledger   containing  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the
stockholders  and the  number  of  shares  held  by  them,  respectively,  to be
maintained at the office of the Corporation's  transfer agent. Such stock ledger
may be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written
form within a reasonable  time for visual  inspection.  Any one or more persons,
each of whom has been a stockholder of record of the  Corporation  for more than
six months next preceding  such request,  who owns in the aggregate five percent
or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation,  may submit (unless
the Corporation at the time of the request maintains a duplicate stock ledger at
its  principal  office in  Maryland)  a written  request  to any  officer of the
Corporation or its resident agent in Maryland for a list of the  stockholders of
the  Corporation.  Within 20 days after such a request,  there shall be prepared
and filed at the  Corporation's  principal  office in Maryland a list containing
the names and addresses of all stockholders of the Corporation and the number of
shares of each  class  held by each  stockholder,  certified  as  correct  by an
officer of the Corporation, by its stock transfer agent, or by its registrar.

Section 2.08.  Action Without  Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted to be
taken by  stockholders  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  may be taken  without a
meeting if (a) all  stockholders  entitled to vote on the matter  consent to the
action in writing,  (b) all  stockholders  entitled to notice of the meeting but
not  entitled to vote at it sign a written  waiver of any right to dissent,  and
(c) the  consents  and  waivers  are filed with the  records of the  meetings of
stockholders.  Such  consent  shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at the
meeting.


                                   ARTICLE III
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. General Powers.  Except as otherwise provided by operation of law,
by the Articles of Incorporation,  or by these By-laws,  the property,  business
and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed under the direction of and all
the powers of the  Corporation  shall be exercised by or under  authority of its
board of directors.

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                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

Section  3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.  The board of directors  may from
time  to  time  issue  and  sell or  cause  to be  issued  and  sold  any of the
Corporation's  authorized  shares to such persons and for such  consideration as
the board of directors  shall deem  advisable,  subject to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation.

Section 3.03. Power to Declare Dividends.  The board of directors,  from time to
time as they may deem advisable, may declare and pay dividends in stock, cash or
other property of the Corporation, out of any source available for dividends, to
the  stockholders   according  to  their  respective  rights  and  interests  in
accordance  with the provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation.  The board of
directors may prescribe from time to time that dividends declared may be payable
at the  election  of any of the  stockholders  (exercisable  before or after the
declaration  of the dividend),  either in cash or in shares of the  Corporation,
provided that the sum of the cash dividend  actually paid to any stockholder and
the asset value of the shares received  (determined as of such time as the board
of directors shall have prescribed,  pursuant to the Articles of  Incorporation,
with respect to shares sold on the date of such  election)  shall not exceed the
full amount of cash to which the stockholder  would be entitled if he elected to
receive only cash.  The board of directors  shall cause to be  accompanied  by a
written  statement any dividend  payment  wholly or partly from any source other
than:

         (a) the Corporation's  accumulated undistributed net income (determined
         in  accordance  with  good  accounting   practice  and  the  rules  and
         regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission  then in effect)
         and  not  including  profits  or  losses  realized  upon  the  sale  of
         securities or other properties; or

         (b) the  Corporation's  net  income so  determined  for the  current or
         preceding fiscal year.

Such statement shall  adequately  disclose the source or sources of such payment
and the basis of  calculation,  and shall be in such form as the  Securities and
Exchange Commission may prescribe.

Section  3.04.  Number and Term of  Directors.  Except for the initial  board of
directors, the board of directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more
than fifteen directors, as specified by a resolution of a majority of the entire
board of directors and at least one member of the board of directors  shall be a
person who is not an  "interested  person" of the  Corporation,  as that term is
defined in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended.  All other directors
may be interested  persons of the  Corporation  if the  requirements  of Section
10(d)  of the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as  amended,  are  met by the
Corporation  and its investment  manager.  Each director shall hold office until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier  death,  resignation
or removal.

All acts done at any  meeting  of the  directors  or by any  person  acting as a
director,  so  long as his  successor  shall  not  have  been  duly  elected  or
appointed,  shall,  notwithstanding that it be afterwards  discovered that there
was some defect in the election of the  directors or of such person  acting as a
director  or that they or any of them were  disqualified,  be as valid as if the
directors  or such other  person,  as the case may be, had been duly elected and
were or was qualified to be directors or a director of the Corporation.

Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 3.05. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.  If any vacancies shall
occur in the board of  directors  by reason of death,  resignation,  removal  or
otherwise,  or if the  authorized  number of directors  shall be increased,  the
directors  then in office  shall  continue to act,  and such  vacancies  (if not
previously  filled  by the  stockholders)  may be filled  by a  majority  of the
directors  then in  office,  although  less than a quorum,  except  that a newly
created  directorship  may be filled only by a majority vote of the entire board
of directors; provided, however, that immediately after filling such vacancy, at
least  two-thirds  (2/3) of the  directors  then holding  office shall have been
elected to such office by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that
at any  time,  other  than the time  preceding  the first  annual  stockholders'
meeting, less than a majority of the directors of the Corporation holding office
at that time were  elected by the  stockholders,  a meeting of the  stockholders
shall be held  promptly  and in any  event  within  60 days for the  purpose  of
electing  directors  to fill any existing  vacancies in the board of  directors,
unless the Securities and Exchange Commission shall by order extend such period.

Section 3.06.  Removal.  At any  stockholders'  meeting duly called,  provided a
quorum is present,  the stockholders may remove any director from office (either
with or  without  cause)  by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of all votes
represented at the meeting,  and at the same meeting a duly qualified  successor
or successors  may be elected to fill any resulting  vacancies by a plurality of
the votes validly cast.

Section  3.07.  Regular  Meetings.  The  meeting of the board of  directors  for
choosing officers and transacting other proper business, and all other meetings,
shall be held at such time and place,  within or outside the state of  Maryland,
as the board may  determine and as provided by  resolution.  Except as otherwise
provided  in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as  amended,  notice of such
meetings need not be given,  following the annual  meeting of  stockholders,  if
any,  provided  that notice of any change in the time or place of such  meetings
shall be sent promptly to each director not present at the meeting at which such
change was made, in the manner provided for notice of special  meetings.  Except
as otherwise  provided  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended,
members  of the board of  directors  or any  committee  designated  thereby  may
participate  in a meeting of such board or  committee  by means of a  conference
telephone or similar communications equipment that allows

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                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

all  persons  participating  in the meeting to hear each other at the same time;
and  participation  by such  means  shall  constitute  presence  in  person at a
meeting.

Section 3.08. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall
be held  whenever  called by the  chairman  of the board or the  president  or a
co-president  (or, in the absence or  disability of the chairman of the board or
the  president  or a  co-president,  by any  officer  or  director,  as  they so
designate)  at the time and place  (within or outside of the State of  Maryland)
specified in the  respective  notice or waivers of notice of such  meetings.  At
least three days before the day on which a special meeting is to be held, notice
of special  meetings,  stating  the time and place,  shall be (a) mailed to each
director at his  residence or regular  place of business or (b) delivered to him
personally  or  transmitted  to him  by  telegraph,  telefax,  telex,  cable  or
wireless.

Section  3.09.  Waiver of Notice.  No notice of any meeting need be given to any
director  who is present at the meeting or who waives  notice of such meeting in
writing (which waiver shall be filed with the records of such  meeting),  either
before or after the time of the meeting.

Section 3.10. Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the board of directors,  the
presence of one-half of the number of directors then in office shall  constitute
a quorum for the  transaction of business,  provided that there shall be present
at least two directors.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors
present may  adjourn the  meeting,  from time to time,  until a quorum  shall be
present. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum  is  present  shall be the  action of the  board of  directors,  unless
concurrence  of a greater  proportion is required for such action by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

Section  3.11.  Action  Without a Meeting.  Except as otherwise  provided in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the board of  directors or of any  committee  thereof
may be taken without a meeting if a written  consent to such action is signed by
all  members  of the board or of such  committee,  as the case may be,  and such
written  consent  is filed  with the  minutes  of  proceedings  of the  board or
committee.

Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors.  Directors may receive such 
compensation for their services as may from time to time be determined by 
resolution of the board of directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COMMITTEES

Section 4.01. Organization. By resolution adopted by the board of directors, the
board may designate one or more committees of the board of directors,  including
an Executive Committee,  each consisting of at least two directors.  Each member
of a committee  shall be a director and shall hold  committee  membership at the
pleasure of the board.  The chairman of the board,  if any, shall be a member of
the Executive Committee. The board of directors shall have the power at any time
to  change  the  members  of  such  committees  and  to  fill  vacancies  in the
committees.

Section 4.02. Powers of the Executive  Committee.  Unless otherwise  provided by
resolution  of the board of  directors,  when the board of  directors  is not in
session the  Executive  Committee  shall have and may exercise all powers of the
board  of  directors  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation that may lawfully be exercised by an Executive  Committee except the
power to declare a dividend or distribution on stock,  authorize the issuance of
stock,  recommend to stockholders any action requiring  stockholders'  approval,
amend these By-laws, approve any merger or share exchange which does not require
stockholder  approval or approve or terminate any contract  with an  "investment
adviser"  or  "principal  underwriter,"  as  those  terms  are  defined  in  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to take any other action required
by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  to be taken by the board of
directors.  Notwithstanding  the above,  such Executive  Committee may make such
dividend  calculations  and  payments as are  consistent  with  applicable  law,
including Maryland corporate law.

Section  4.03.  Powers of Other  Committees  of the Board of  Directors.  To the
extent  provided by  resolution of the board,  other  committees of the board of
directors  shall have and may  exercise  any of the powers that may  lawfully be
granted to the Executive Committee.

Section  4.04.  Proceedings  and  Quorum.  In  the  absence  of  an  appropriate
resolution  of the board of directors,  each  committee may adopt such rules and
regulations  governing its proceedings,  quorum and manner of acting as it shall
deem proper and  desirable,  provided  that a quorum  shall not be less than two
directors.  In the event any member of any committee is absent from any meeting,
the members  thereof  present at the meeting,  whether or not they  constitute a
quorum,  may appoint a member of the board of  directors  to act in the place of
such absent member.

Section  4.05.  Other  Committees.  The board of  directors  may  appoint  other
committees,  each consisting of one or more persons,  who need not be directors.
Each such  committee  shall have such powers and  perform  such duties as may be
assigned  to it from  time to time by the  board of  directors,  but  shall  not
exercise  any  power  which  may  lawfully  be  exercised  only by the  board of
directors or a committee thereof.

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                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Officers.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a president or
co-presidents,  a secretary,  and a treasurer,  and may include one or more vice
presidents   (including   executive  and  senior  vice  presidents),   assistant
secretaries or assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof. The board of directors
may, but shall not be required  to,  elect a chairman  and vice  chairman of the
board.

Section  5.02.  Election,  Tenure  and  Qualifications.   The  officers  of  the
Corporation  (except those  appointed  pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof) shall be
elected  by the board of  directors  at its  first  meeting  or such  subsequent
meetings as shall be held prior to its first annual  meeting,  and thereafter at
regular board  meetings,  as required by applicable law. If any officers are not
elected at any annual  meeting,  such officers may be elected at any  subsequent
meetings of the board.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Article V, each
officer  elected by the board of  directors  shall hold office  until his or her
successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any person may hold one or more
offices of the Corporation  except that no one person may serve  concurrently as
both the president or a co-president and vice president. A person who holds more
than one  office in the  Corporation  may not act in more than one  capacity  to
execute,  acknowledge,  or verify an instrument  required by law to be executed,
acknowledged,  or verified by more than one  officer.  The chairman of the board
shall be chosen from among the  directors of the  Corporation  and may hold such
office only so long as he continues to be a director. No other officer need be a
director.

Section 5.03. Vacancies and Newly Created Offices. If any vacancy shall occur in
any office by reason of death, resignation,  removal,  disqualification or other
cause,  or if any new office shall be created,  such  vacancies or newly created
offices  may be filled by the  chairman  of the board at any  meeting or, in the
case of any office created pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof,  by any officer upon
whom such power shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.  At any meeting called for such purpose,
the  Executive  Committee  may remove any officer  from office  (either  with or
without cause) by the affirmative  vote, given at the meeting,  of a majority of
the members of the Committee.  Any officer may resign from office at any time by
delivering a written  resignation to the board of directors,  the president or a
co-president,  the  secretary,  or any  assistant  secretary.  Unless  otherwise
specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 5.05. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if there be such
an officer, shall be the senior officer of the Corporation, shall preside at all
stockholders'  meetings and at all meetings of the board of directors  and shall
be ex officio a member of all  committees  of the board of  directors.  He shall
have such other  powers and perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the board of directors.

Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board.  The board of directors may from time
to time elect a vice chairman who shall have such powers and perform such duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors,  chairman
of the board or the  president or a  co-president.  At the request of, or in the
absence or in the event of the disability of the chairman of the board, the vice
chairman  may  perform  all the  duties  of the  chairman  of the  board  or the
president or a  co-president  and, when so acting,  shall have all the powers of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon such respective officers.

Section 5.07. President,  Co-President.  The president or co-presidents shall be
the chief executive officer or co-chief executive officers,  as the case may be,
of the  Corporation  and,  in the  absence of the  chairman of the board or vice
chairman or if no chairman of the board or vice chairman has been chosen,  shall
preside  at all  stockholders'  meetings  and at all  meetings  of the  board of
directors and shall in general exercise the powers and perform the duties of the
chairman of the board. Subject to the supervision of the board of directors, the
president  or the  co-presidents  shall  have  general  charge of the  business,
affairs  and  property  of the  Corporation  and  general  supervision  over its
officers,  employees and agents.  Except as the board of directors may otherwise
order, the president or a co-president may sign in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation  all deeds,  bonds,  contracts,  or  agreements.  The president or a
co-president  shall  exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.

Section 5.08. Vice President. The board of directors may from time to time elect
one or more vice presidents (including executive and senior vice presidents) who
shall  have such  powers  and  perform  such  duties as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the board of directors or the  president or a  co-president.
At the request of, or in the absence or in the event of the  disability  of, the
president or both  co-presidents,  the vice  president  (or, if there are two or
more vice presidents, then the senior of the vice presidents present and able to
act) may perform all the duties of the president or  co-presidents  and, when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the president or co-presidents.

Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant  Treasurers.  The treasurer  shall be the
chief accounting officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge of the
finances and books of account of the Corporation.  The treasurer shall render to
the board of  directors,  whenever  directed  by the  board,  an  account of the
financial condition of the Corporation and of all transactions as treasurer; and
as soon as possible after the close of

                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

each  financial  year he shall make and submit to the board of  directors a like
report  for such  financial  year.  The  treasurer  shall  cause to be  prepared
annually  a full and  complete  statement  of the  affairs  of the  Corporation,
including  a balance  sheet and a  financial  statement  of  operations  for the
preceding  fiscal  year,  which  shall be  submitted  at the  annual  meeting of
stockholders  (when,  and if,  such  meeting  is held) and filed  within 20 days
thereafter at the principal  office of the Corporation in the state of Maryland,
except  that for any year when an annual  meeting of  stockholders  is not held,
such statement of affairs shall be filed at the  Corporation's  principal office
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.  The  treasurer  shall perform
all acts  incidental to the office of  treasurer,  subject to the control of the
board of directors.

Any  assistant  treasurer  may  perform  such  duties  of the  treasurer  as the
treasurer  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
treasurer, may perform all the duties of the treasurer.

Section 5.10. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend to
the giving and serving of all notices of the  Corporation  and shall  record all
proceedings  of the meetings of the  stockholders  and  directors in books to be
kept for that purpose.  The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the
Corporation,  and shall have  responsibility for the records of the Corporation,
including  the stock  books  and such  other  books  and  papers as the board of
directors may direct and such books,  reports,  certificates and other documents
required by law to be kept, all of which shall at all  reasonable  times be open
to  inspection by any  director.  The secretary  shall perform such other duties
which appertain to this office or as may be required by the board of directors.

Any  assistant  secretary  may  perform  such  duties  of the  secretary  as the
secretary  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
secretary, may perform all the duties of the secretary.

Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers. The chairman of the board from time to time
may appoint such other officers or agents as he may deem advisable, each of whom
shall have such title,  hold office for such  period,  have such  authority  and
perform such duties as the board of directors may determine. The chairman of the
board from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or agents the power
to  appoint  any such  subordinate  officers  or agents and to  prescribe  their
respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any officer or agent
appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.11 may be removed,
either with or without  cause,  by any  officer  upon whom such power of removal
shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.12.  Remuneration.  The salaries or other compensation of the officers
of the  Corporation  shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board
of directors,  except that the board of directors may by resolution  delegate to
any  person  or  group  of  persons  the  power  to fix the  salaries  or  other
compensation of any subordinate  officers or agents appointed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof.

Section 5.13.  Surety  Bonds.  The board of directors may require any officer or
agent of the Corporation to execute a bond (including,  without limitation,  any
bond required by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  and the rules
and   regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission   promulgated
thereunder)  to the  Corporation in such sum and with such surety or sureties as
the board of directors may determine,  conditioned upon the faithful performance
of his or her duties to the Corporation, including responsibility for negligence
and for the accounting of any of the Corporation's property, funds or securities
that may come into his hands.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                 EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES

Section 6.01.  General.  Subject to the provisions of Sections  5.07,  6.02, and
7.03 hereof, all deeds, documents,  transfers,  contracts,  agreements and other
instruments  requiring  execution  by the  Corporation  shall be  signed  by the
president or a co-president,  a vice president  (including  executive and senior
vice presidents), chairman or vice chairman and by the treasurer or secretary or
an assistant treasurer or an assistant  secretary,  or as the board of directors
may  otherwise,  from time to time,  authorize.  Any such  authorization  may be
general or confined to specific instances.

Section 6.02.  Checks,  Notes,  Drafts,  Etc. So long as the  Corporation  shall
employ  a  custodian  to  keep  custody  of  the  cash  and  securities  of  the
Corporation,  all checks and drafts for the payment of money by the  Corporation
may be  signed  in the  name of the  Corporation  by the  custodian.  Except  as
otherwise  authorized by the board of directors,  all requisitions or orders for
the  assignment  of  securities  standing  in the name of the  custodian  or its
nominee, or for the execution of powers to transfer the same, shall be signed in
the name of the  Corporation  by any two of the  following:  the  president or a
co-president,  vice president  (including executive and senior vice presidents),
treasurer or an assistant treasurer, provided that no one person may sign in the
capacity of two such officers. Promissory notes, checks or drafts payable to the
Corporation  may be endorsed  only to the order of the  custodian or its nominee
and  only  by any  two of the  following:  the  treasurer,  the  president  or a
co-president,  a vice president (including executive and senior vice presidents)
or by such  other  person  or  persons  as shall be  authorized  by the board of
directors,  provided  that no one  person may sign in the  capacity  of two such
officers.

Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities.  Unless otherwise ordered by the board of 
directors, the president or a co-president, or any vice president (including 
executive and senior vice presidents) shall have full power and

                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

authority on behalf of the  Corporation  to attend and to act and to vote, or in
the name of the  Corporation  to  execute  proxies  to vote,  at any  meeting of
stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock. At any such
meeting such officer  shall possess and may exercise (in person or by proxy) any
and all rights,  powers and privileges  incident to the ownership of such stock.
The board of directors  may by  resolution  from time to time confer like powers
upon any other  person or  persons in  accordance  with the laws of the State of
Maryland.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

Section 7.01.  Certificates  of Stock.  The interest of each  stockholder of the
Corporation  may be, but shall not be required to be,  evidenced by certificates
for  shares  of  stock in such  form  not  inconsistent  with  the  Articles  of
Incorporation  as the board of  directors  may from time to time  authorize.  No
certificate shall be valid unless it is signed in the name of the Corporation by
a president or a  co-president  or a vice  president  and  countersigned  by the
secretary or an assistant  secretary or the treasurer or an assistant  treasurer
of the  Corporation  and sealed with the seal of the  Corporation,  or bears the
facsimile  signatures of such officers and a facsimile of such seal. In case any
officer who shall have signed any such certificate, or whose facsimile signature
has been placed  thereon,  shall cease to be such an officer  (because of death,
resignation or otherwise)  before such  certificate is issued,  such certificate
may be issued and  delivered  by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he
were such officer at the date of issue.

The number of each certificate issued, the name and address of the person owning
the  shares  represented  thereby,  the  number of such  shares  and the date of
issuance  shall be entered upon the stock ledger of the  Corporation at the time
of issuance.

Every certificate exchanged, surrendered for redemption or otherwise returned to
the Corporation shall be marked "canceled" with the date of cancellation.

Section  7.02.   Transfer  of  Shares.   Shares  of  the  Corporation  shall  be
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof (in
person or by his duly  authorized  attorney  or legal  representative)  (a) if a
certificate or  certificates  have been issued,  upon surrender duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with such proof of
the  authenticity  of  the  signature  as the  Corporation  or  its  agents  may
reasonably  require,  or (b) as otherwise  prescribed by the board of directors.
Except as  otherwise  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation,  the shares of
stock of the Corporation may be freely  transferred,  subject to the charging of
customary  transfer  fees,  and the board of directors  may,  from time to time,
adopt  rules and  regulations  with  reference  to the method of transfer of the
shares of stock of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall be entitled to treat
the holder of record of any share of stock as the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes,  and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal,  equitable
or other  claim or  interest  in such  share  on the part of any  other  person,
whether  or not it  shall  have  express  or other  notice  thereof,  except  as
otherwise expressly provided by law or the statutes of the State of Maryland.

Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and  Registrars.  The board of directors may from
time to time appoint or remove  transfer  agents or  registrars of transfers for
shares of stock of the  Corporation,  and it may appoint the same person as both
transfer  agent  and  registrar.  Upon  any  such  appointment  being  made  all
certificates  representing  shares of capital stock  thereafter  issued shall be
countersigned  by one of such  transfer  agents or by one of such  registrars of
transfers or by both and shall not be valid unless so countersigned. If the same
person shall be both transfer agent and registrar,  only one countersignature by
such person shall be required.

Section 7.04. Fixing of Record Date. The board of directors may fix in advance a
date as a record  date for the  determination  of the  stockholders  entitled to
notice of or to vote at any stockholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof, or
to express  consent to  corporate  action in  writing  without a meeting,  or to
receive  payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any
rights,  or to  exercise  any  rights in respect of any  change,  conversion  or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,  provided that
(a) such  record  date  shall be within  90 days  prior to the date on which the
particular  action  requiring such  determination  will be taken,  except that a
meeting  of  stockholders  convened  on the date for which it was  called may be
adjourned  from time to time without  further notice to a date not more than 120
days after the original  record date; (b) the transfer books shall not be closed
for a  period  longer  than  20  days;  and  (c) in the  case  of a  meeting  of
stockholders,  the record  date shall be at least 10 days before the date of the
meeting.

Section  7.05.  Lost,  Stolen or Destroyed  Certificates.  Before  issuing a new
certificate  for stock of the Corporation  alleged to have been lost,  stolen or
destroyed, the board of directors or any officer authorized by the board may, in
its discretion,  require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed  certificate
(or his legal representative) to give the Corporation a bond or other indemnity,
in such form and in such amount as the board or any such  officer may direct and
with such  surety or sureties  as may be  satisfactory  to the board or any such
officer,  sufficient to indemnify the Corporation  against any claim that may be
made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.



                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                        CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Section  8.01.  Validity  of  Contract  or  Transactions.  In the event that any
officer  or  director  of the  Corporation  shall have any  interest,  direct or
indirect,  in any other firm,  association or corporation as officer,  employee,
director or stockholder, no transaction or contract made by the Corporation with
any such other  firm,  association  or  corporation  shall be valid  unless such
interest shall have been disclosed or made known to all of the directors or to a
majority of the  directors  and such  transaction  or  contract  shall have been
approved by a majority of a quorum of directors, which majority shall consist of
directors not having any such interest or a majority of the directors in office,
including directors having such an interest.

Section  8.02.  Dealings.  No officer,  director or employee of the  Corporation
shall deal for or on behalf of the  Corporation  with  himself,  as principal or
agent,  or with any  corporation  or  partnership  in  which he has a  financial
interest, except that:

         (a) Such prohibition shall not prevent officers, directors or employees
         of the Corporation from having a financial interest in the Corporation,
         or the sponsor,  or a distributor of the shares of the Corporation,  or
         the investment manager or counsel of the Corporation;

         (b) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase of securities for
         the portfolio of the Corporation or the sale of securities owned by the
         Corporation through a securities broker, one or more of whose partners,
         officers  or  directors  is an  officer,  director  or  employee of the
         Corporation,  provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of
         broker,  only,  and  provided  they are  performed in  accordance  with
         applicable law;

         (c) Such prohibition shall not prevent the employment of legal counsel,
         registrar,  transfer agent,  dividend disbursing agent, or custodian or
         trustee  having a  partner,  officer  or  director  who is an  officer,
         director or employee of the  Corporation,  provided only customary fees
         are charged for services rendered for the benefit of the Corporation;

         (d) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase for the portfolio
         of the Corporation of securities issued by an issuer having an officer,
         director or security holder who is an officer,  director or employee of
         the  Corporation  or of  the  manager  or  investment  counsel  of  the
         Corporation,  unless at the time of such  purchase  one or more of such
         officers,  directors or employees owns  beneficially more than one-half
         of one per cent (1/2%) of the shares or  securities,  or both,  of such
         issuer and such  officers,  directors  and  employees  owning more than
         one-half of one per cent (1/2%) of such shares or  securities  together
         own  beneficially  more  than  five per  cent  (5%) of such  shares  or
         securities.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                           FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT

Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall, unless 
otherwise ordered by the board of directors, be twelve calendar months ending on
the 31st day of December.

Section 9.02.  Accountant.  The Corporation  shall employ an independent  public
accountant or a firm of  independent  public  accountants  as its  accountant to
examine  the  accounts  of the  Corporation  and to sign and  certify  financial
statements filed by the Corporation.  The accountant's  certificates and reports
shall be addressed both to the board of directors and to the  stockholders.  The
employment  of the  accountant  shall  be  conditioned  upon  the  right  of the
Corporation to terminate the employment forthwith without any penalty by vote of
a majority of the outstanding  voting  securities at any  stockholders'  meeting
called for that purpose.

A majority  of the  members of the board of  directors  who are not  "interested
persons" (as defined in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the
Corporation  shall  select the  accountant  at any  meeting  held within 90 days
before or after the  beginning of the fiscal year of the  Corporation  or before
the annual  stockholders'  meeting (if any) in that year. The selection shall be
submitted  for   ratification  or  rejection  at  the  next  succeeding   annual
stockholders'  meeting,  if  any,  when  and if such  meeting  is  held.  If the
selection  is  rejected at that  meeting,  the  accountant  shall be selected by
majority vote of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities,  either at the
meeting  at  which  the  rejection  occurred  or  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of
stockholders called for the purpose of selecting an accountant.

Any vacancy  occurring  between  annual  meetings,  if any,  due to the death or
resignation  of the  accountant  may be filled by the vote of a majority  of the
members of the board of directors who are not interested persons.


                                    ARTICLE X
                              CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian.  Unless otherwise  required by law or
the Articles of Incorporation,  all securities and cash owned by the Corporation
from time to time shall be deposited with and held by a

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

custodian  or  subcustodian  qualified  to act as such in  accordance  with  the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section  10.02.  Termination  of Custodian  Agreement.  Upon  termination of the
agreement  for services  with the  custodian  or  inability of the  custodian to
continue to serve,  the board of directors  shall  promptly  appoint a successor
custodian, but in the event that no successor custodian can be found who has the
required  qualifications  and is willing to serve,  the board of directors shall
call as promptly as possible a special meeting of the  stockholders to determine
whether  the  Corporation  shall  function  without  a  custodian  or  shall  be
liquidated. If so directed by resolution of the board of directors or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Corporation held by
it as specified in such vote.

Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian  Contract.  The board of directors shall
cause to be delivered to the custodian all securities  owned by the  Corporation
or to which it may become entitled,  and shall order the same to be delivered by
the custodian only in completion of a sale, exchange, transfer, pledge, or other
disposition thereof, all as the board of directors may generally or from time to
time require to approve or to a successor custodian;  and the board of directors
shall  cause  all  funds  owned by the  Corporation  or to  which it may  become
entitled to be paid to the  custodian,  and shall order the same  disbursed only
for investment  against  delivery of the securities  acquired,  or in payment of
expenses, including management compensation, and liabilities of the Corporation,
including distributions to shareholders, or to a successor custodian.

Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.  The Corporation may make such other
arrangements for the custody of its assets (including deposit arrangements) as 
may be required by any applicable law, rule or regulation.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Section 11.01. Indemnification of Officers, Directors,  Employees and Agents. In
accordance with applicable law, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and Maryland Corporate law, the Corporation shall indemnify each person
who was or is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director,  officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation  as a  director,  officer,
employee, partner, trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise,  against all reasonable expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually incurred, and judgments,  fines, penalties and amounts
paid in  settlement  in connection  with such  Proceeding to the maximum  extent
permitted  by law,  now  existing  or  hereafter  adopted.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the following provisions shall apply with respect to indemnification
of the Corporation's directors,  officers, and investment manager (as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended):

         (a)  Whether  or not  there is an  adjudication  of  liability  in such
         Proceeding, the Corporation shall not indemnify any such person for any
         liability arising by reason of such person's willful  misfeasance,  bad
         faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties involved
         in the conduct of his or her office or under any  contract or agreement
         with the Corporation ("disabling conduct").

         (b) The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person unless:

                  (1) the court or other body before  which the  Proceeding  was
                  brought (a)  dismisses the  Proceeding  for  insufficiency  of
                  evidence  of any  disabling  conduct,  or (b)  reaches a final
                  decision  on the  merits  that such  person  was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct; or

                  (2) absent  such a decision,  a  reasonable  determination  is
                  made,  based upon a review of the facts,  by (a) the vote of a
                  majority of a quorum of the directors of the  Corporation  who
                  are neither  interested  persons of the Corporation as defined
                  in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor parties
                  to the Proceeding, or (b) if such quorum is not obtainable, or
                  even if  obtainable,  if a majority  of a quorum of  directors
                  described  above so directs,  based upon a written  opinion by
                  independent legal counsel,  that such person was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct.

         (c)  Reasonable  expenses  (including   attorneys'  fees)  incurred  in
         defending a  Proceeding  involving  any such person will be paid by the
         Corporation  in  advance  of the  final  disposition  thereof  upon  an
         undertaking  by  such  person  to  repay  such  expenses  unless  it is
         ultimately  determined  that he or she is entitled to  indemnification,
         if:

                  (1)  such person shall provide adequate security for his or
                       her undertaking;

                  (2) the Corporation shall be insured against losses arising by
                      reason of such advance; or

                  (3) a majority of a quorum of the directors of the Corporation
                  who are  neither  interested  persons  of the  Corporation  as
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


                                         Bull & Bear Special Equities Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                  parties to the Proceeding,  or independent  legal counsel in a
                  written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily
                  available  facts,  that there is reason to  believe  that such
                  person will be found to be entitled to indemnification.

Section  11.02.  Insurance of Officers,  Directors,  Employees  and Agents.  The
Corporation   may  purchase  and   maintain   insurance  or  other   sources  of
reimbursement  to the extent  permitted by law on behalf of any person who is or
was a  director,  officer,  employee or agent of the  Corporation,  or is or was
serving at the  request of the  Corporation  as a director,  officer,  employee,
partner,  trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other enterprise  against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in or arising out of his position.

Section 11.03. Non-exclusivity.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided  by,  or  granted  pursuant  to,  this  Article  XI shall not be deemed
exclusive  of any  other  rights  to  which  those  seeking  indemnification  or
advancement  of expenses may be entitled  under the  Articles of  Incorporation,
these By-Laws,  agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both
as to  action  in his or her  official  capacity  and as to  action  in  another
capacity while holding such office.

Section 11.04. Amendment. No amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article or
the adoption, alteration or amendment of any other provisions to the Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws  inconsistent  with this Article shall adversely affect
any right or protection of any person under this Article with respect to any act
or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment,  alteration, repeal or
adoption.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   AMENDMENTS

Section 12.01. General.  Except as provided in Section 12.02 of this Article XII
and  subject  to the  provisions  concerning  stockholder  voting in  Article II
hereof,  all  By-laws  of the  Corporation,  whether  adopted  by the  board  of
directors or the  stockholders,  shall be subject to  amendment,  alteration  or
repeal,  and new By-laws may be made by the affirmative vote of either:  (a) the
holders  of  record  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of stock of the
Corporation  entitled to vote, at any meeting, the notice or waiver of notice of
which shall have  specified or summarized  the proposed  amendment,  alteration,
repeal or new By-law; or (b) a majority of directors,  at any meeting the notice
or waiver of notice of which shall have  specified  or  summarized  the proposed
amendment, alteration, repeal or new By-law.

Section  12.02.  By  Stockholders  Only.  No  amendment  of any section of these
By-laws  shall be made  except by the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  if the
By-laws provide that such section may not be amended, altered or repealed except
by the  stockholders.  From and after the  issuance of any shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation no amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article XII
shall be made except by the stockholders of the Corporation.


                                     - 10 -








[DESCRIPTION]            AMENDED BY-LAWS

                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS


                                       OF


                                MIDAS FUND, INC.


                             A MARYLAND CORPORATION



                                DECEMBER 11, 1997


<PAGE>


                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

ARTICLE I - NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF OFFICES AND SEAL...............  1
         Section 1.01.  Name................................................  1
         Section 1.02.  Principal Offices...................................  1
         Section 1.03.  Seal................................................  1

ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS...................................................  1
         Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.....................................  1
         Section 2.02.  Special Meetings....................................  1
         Section 2.03.  Notice of Meetings..................................  1
         Section 2.04.  Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings..................  1
         Section 2.05.  Voting and Inspectors...............................  1
         Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.................................  2
         Section 2.07.  Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders...............  2
         Section 2.08.  Action Without Meeting..............................  2

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS............................................  2
         Section 3.01.  General Powers......................................  2
         Section 3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.......................  2
         Section 3.03.  Power to Declare Dividends..........................  2
         Section 3.04.  Number and Term of Directors........................  3
         Section 3.05.  Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships...........  3
         Section 3.06.  Removal.............................................  3
         Section 3.07.  Regular Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.08.  Special Meetings....................................  3
         Section 3.09.  Waiver of Notice....................................  3
         Section 3.10.  Quorum and Voting...................................  3
         Section 3.11.  Action Without a Meeting............................  4
         Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors...........................  4
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES.....................................................  4
         Section 4.01.  Organization........................................  4
         Section 4.02.  Powers of the Executive Committee...................  4
         Section 4.03.  Powers of Other Committees of the Board of Directors  4
         Section 4.04.  Proceedings and Quorum..............................  4
         Section 4.05.  Other Committees....................................  4

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS........................................................  4
         Section 5.01.  Officers............................................  4
         Section 5.02.  Election, Tenure and Qualifications.................  4
         Section 5.03.  Vacancies and Newly Created Offices.................  4
         Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.............................  5
         Section 5.05.  Chairman of the Board...............................  5
         Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board..........................  5
         Section 5.07.  President, Co-President.............................  5
         Section 5.08.  Vice President......................................  5
         Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers..................  5
         Section 5.10.  Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.................  5
         Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers................................  5
         Section 5.12.  Remuneration........................................  5
         Section 5.13.  Surety Bonds........................................  6

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES.................  6
         Section 6.01.  General.............................................  6
         Section 6.02.  Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc..........................  6
         Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities................................  6

ARTICLE VII - CAPITAL STOCK.................................................  6
         Section 7.01.  Certificates of Stock...............................  6
         Section 7.02.  Transfer of Shares..................................  6
         Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and Registrars......................  6
         Section 7.04.  Fixing of Record Date...............................  7
         Section 7.05.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates..............  7

ARTICLE VIII - CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS............................  7
         Section 8.01.  Validity of Contract or Transactions................  7
         Section 8.02.  Dealings............................................  7


                                        i

<PAGE>


                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT.....................................  7
         Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.........................................  7
         Section 9.02.  Accountant..........................................  7

ARTICLE X - CUSTODY OF SECURITIES...........................................  8
         Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian..........................  8
         Section 10.02.  Termination of Custodian Agreement.................  8
         Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian Contract...................  8
         Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.................................  8

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE..................................  8
         Section 11.01.  Indemnification of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  8
         Section 11.02.  Insurance of Officers, Directors, 
                         Employees and Agents...............................  9
         Section 11.03.  Non-exclusivity....................................  9
         Section 11.04.  Amendment..........................................  9

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS....................................................  9
         Section 12.01.  General............................................  9
         Section 12.02.  By Stockholders Only...............................  9


                                       ii

<PAGE>


                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                 AMENDED BY-LAWS
                                       OF

                                MIDAS FUND, INC.

                            (A MARYLAND CORPORATION)


                                    ARTICLE I
                        NAME OF CORPORATION, LOCATION OF
                                OFFICES AND SEAL


Section 1.01.  Name.  The name of the Corporation is Midas Fund, Inc.

Section 1.02.  Principal Offices. The principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland shall be located in Baltimore,  Maryland. The Corporation may,
in addition, establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as
the board of directors may, from time to time, determine.

Section 1.03.  Seal. The corporate seal of the Corporation  shall consist of two
(2) concentric circles, between which shall be the name of the Corporation,  and
in the center shall be inscribed  the year of its  incorporation,  and the words
"Corporate  Seal." The form of the seal shall be  subject to  alteration  by the
board of  directors  and the seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be
impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced. Any officer or director
of the  Corporation  shall have  authority  to affix the  corporate  seal of the
Corporation to any document requiring the same.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01.  Annual Meetings.  There shall be no stockholders' meetings for 
the election of directors and the transaction of other proper business except as
required by law or as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.02.  Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called
at any time by the chairman of the board or the president or a co-president  and
shall be held at such  time and  place as may be  stated  in the  notice  of the
meeting.  The secretary shall call a special meeting of the  stockholders on the
written request of stockholders  entitled to cast at least a majority of all the
votes  entitled to be cast at the meeting.  Such request shall state the purpose
of such  meeting and the matters  proposed to be acted on thereat,  and no other
business shall be transacted at any such special  meeting.  The secretary  shall
inform such  stockholders  of the  reasonably  estimated  costs of preparing and
mailing the notice of the meeting,  and upon payment to the  Corporation of such
costs,  the secretary shall give not less than ten nor more than 90 days' notice
of the time,  place and purpose of the meeting in the manner provided in Section
2.03 of this Article II.

Section 2.03. Notice of Meetings. The secretary shall cause notice of the place,
date and hour and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise  required by
law,  the  purpose or  purposes  for which the  meeting is called,  to be served
personally or to be mailed,  postage prepaid,  not less than 10 nor more than 90
days before the date of the  meeting,  to each  stockholder  entitled to vote at
such meeting at his address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation  at
the time of such mailing.  Notice shall be deemed to be given when  deposited in
the United States mail addressed to the stockholders as aforesaid.

Notice of any  stockholders'  meeting need not be given to any  stockholder  who
shall sign a written  waiver of such notice  whether before or after the time of
such meeting,  which waiver shall be filed with the records of such meeting,  or
to any stockholder who is present at such meeting in person or by proxy.  Notice
of adjournment of a  stockholders'  meeting to another time or place need not be
given if such time and place are announced at the meeting.

Irregularities  in the notice of any meeting to, or the  nonreceipt  of any such
notice by, any of the  stockholders  shall not invalidate  any action  otherwise
properly taken by or at any such meeting.

Section  2.04.  Quorum  and  Adjournment  of  Meetings.   The  presence  at  any
stockholders'  meeting, in person or by proxy, of stockholders  entitled to cast
one-third  of all votes  entitled  to be cast  thereat  shall be  necessary  and
sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that
with respect to any matter to be voted upon separately by any Series (as defined
in the Articles of  Incorporation) or class of shares, a quorum shall consist of
the holders of one-third of the shares of that Series or class  outstanding  and
entitled to vote on the matter.  In the  absence of a quorum,  the  stockholders
present in person or by proxy or, if no stockholder  entitled to vote is present
in person  or by proxy,  any  officer  present  entitled  to  preside  or act as
secretary of such meeting may adjourn the meeting  without  determining the date
of the new  meeting or from time to time  without  further  notice to a date not
more than 120 days after the original  record date. Any business that might have
been transacted at the meeting  originally  called may be transacted at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


Section  2.05.  Voting and  Inspectors.  At every  stockholders'  meeting,  each
stockholder  shall be entitled to one vote for each share and a fractional  vote
for each  fraction  of a share of stock of the  Corporation  validly  issued and
outstanding  and  standing  in his name on the books of the  Corporation  on the
record date fixed in accordance with Section 7.04 hereof, either in person or by
proxy appointed by instrument in writing  subscribed by such  stockholder or his
duly authorized attorney, except that no shares held by the Corporation shall be
entitled to a vote; provided, however, that (a) as to any matter with respect to
which a separate vote of any series is required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended,  or by the Maryland General  Corporation Law, such requirement
as to a separate  vote by that  series  shall  apply;  (b) in the event that the
separate vote requirements referred to in (a) above apply with respect to one or
more  series,  then,  subject to (c) below,  the shares of all other such one or
more  series  shall  vote as a single  series;  and (c) as to any  matter  which
affects the interest of only a particular series,  only the holders of shares of
the one or more affected series shall be entitled to vote.

If no record  date has been  fixed,  the record  date for the  determination  of
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be the later of the close of business on the day on which  notice of the meeting
is mailed or the 30th day  before  the  meeting,  or, if notice is waived by all
stockholders,  at the close of  business  on the 11th day  preceding  the day on
which the meeting is held.

Except as otherwise  specifically  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation or
these  By-laws or as required by  provisions  of the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended,  all matters shall be decided by a vote of the majority of the
votes validly cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  The vote upon any
question shall be by ballot  whenever  requested by any person entitled to vote,
but, unless such a request is made,  voting may be conducted in any way approved
by the meeting.

At any meeting at which there is an election of  directors,  the chairman of the
meeting may appoint two inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an oath
or affirmation  to execute  faithfully the duties of inspectors at such election
with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability,  and shall,
after the  election,  make a  certificate  of the result of the vote  taken.  No
candidate for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector.

Section 2.06.  Validity of Proxies.  The right to vote by proxy shall exist only
if the  instrument  authorizing  such proxy to act shall have been signed by the
stockholder  or by  his  duly  authorized  attorney.  Unless  a  proxy  provides
otherwise, it shall not be valid more than 11 months after its date. All proxies
shall be delivered to the secretary of the  Corporation  or to the person acting
as secretary of the meeting  before being voted,  who shall decide all questions
concerning  qualification of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance
or rejection of votes.  If  inspectors  of election  have been  appointed by the
chairman of the meeting,  such  inspectors  shall decide all such  questions.  A
proxy with  respect to stock  held in the name of two or more  persons  shall be
valid if  executed  by one of them  unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy
the Corporation  receives from any one of them a specific  written notice to the
contrary  and a copy of the  instrument  or  order  which so  provides.  A proxy
purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid
unless challenged at or prior to its exercise.

Section 2.07. Stock Ledger and List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the
secretary or  assistant  secretary  of the  Corporation  to cause an original or
duplicate   stock  ledger   containing  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  the
stockholders  and the  number  of  shares  held  by  them,  respectively,  to be
maintained at the office of the Corporation's  transfer agent. Such stock ledger
may be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written
form within a reasonable  time for visual  inspection.  Any one or more persons,
each of whom has been a stockholder of record of the  Corporation  for more than
six months next preceding  such request,  who owns in the aggregate five percent
or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation,  may submit (unless
the Corporation at the time of the request maintains a duplicate stock ledger at
its  principal  office in  Maryland)  a written  request  to any  officer of the
Corporation or its resident agent in Maryland for a list of the  stockholders of
the  Corporation.  Within 20 days after such a request,  there shall be prepared
and filed at the  Corporation's  principal  office in Maryland a list containing
the names and addresses of all stockholders of the Corporation and the number of
shares of each  class  held by each  stockholder,  certified  as  correct  by an
officer of the Corporation, by its stock transfer agent, or by its registrar.

Section 2.08.  Action Without  Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted to be
taken by  stockholders  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  may be taken  without a
meeting if (a) all  stockholders  entitled to vote on the matter  consent to the
action in writing,  (b) all  stockholders  entitled to notice of the meeting but
not  entitled to vote at it sign a written  waiver of any right to dissent,  and
(c) the  consents  and  waivers  are filed with the  records of the  meetings of
stockholders.  Such  consent  shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at the
meeting.


                                   ARTICLE III
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. General Powers.  Except as otherwise provided by operation of law,
by the Articles of Incorporation,  or by these By-laws,  the property,  business
and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed under the direction of and all
the powers of the  Corporation  shall be exercised by or under  authority of its
board of directors.

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                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

Section  3.02.  Power to Issue and Sell Stock.  The board of directors  may from
time  to  time  issue  and  sell or  cause  to be  issued  and  sold  any of the
Corporation's  authorized  shares to such persons and for such  consideration as
the board of directors  shall deem  advisable,  subject to the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation.

Section 3.03. Power to Declare Dividends.  The board of directors,  from time to
time as they may deem advisable, may declare and pay dividends in stock, cash or
other property of the Corporation, out of any source available for dividends, to
the  stockholders   according  to  their  respective  rights  and  interests  in
accordance  with the provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation.  The board of
directors may prescribe from time to time that dividends declared may be payable
at the  election  of any of the  stockholders  (exercisable  before or after the
declaration  of the dividend),  either in cash or in shares of the  Corporation,
provided that the sum of the cash dividend  actually paid to any stockholder and
the asset value of the shares received  (determined as of such time as the board
of directors shall have prescribed,  pursuant to the Articles of  Incorporation,
with respect to shares sold on the date of such  election)  shall not exceed the
full amount of cash to which the stockholder  would be entitled if he elected to
receive only cash.  The board of directors  shall cause to be  accompanied  by a
written  statement any dividend  payment  wholly or partly from any source other
than:

         (a) the Corporation's  accumulated undistributed net income (determined
         in  accordance  with  good  accounting   practice  and  the  rules  and
         regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission  then in effect)
         and  not  including  profits  or  losses  realized  upon  the  sale  of
         securities or other properties; or

         (b) the  Corporation's  net  income so  determined  for the  current or
         preceding fiscal year.

Such statement shall  adequately  disclose the source or sources of such payment
and the basis of  calculation,  and shall be in such form as the  Securities and
Exchange Commission may prescribe.

Section  3.04.  Number and Term of  Directors.  Except for the initial  board of
directors, the board of directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more
than fifteen directors, as specified by a resolution of a majority of the entire
board of directors and at least one member of the board of directors  shall be a
person who is not an  "interested  person" of the  Corporation,  as that term is
defined in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended.  All other directors
may be interested  persons of the  Corporation  if the  requirements  of Section
10(d)  of the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as  amended,  are  met by the
Corporation  and its investment  manager.  Each director shall hold office until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier  death,  resignation
or removal.

All acts done at any  meeting  of the  directors  or by any  person  acting as a
director,  so  long as his  successor  shall  not  have  been  duly  elected  or
appointed,  shall,  notwithstanding that it be afterwards  discovered that there
was some defect in the election of the  directors or of such person  acting as a
director  or that they or any of them were  disqualified,  be as valid as if the
directors  or such other  person,  as the case may be, had been duly elected and
were or was qualified to be directors or a director of the Corporation.

Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 3.05. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.  If any vacancies shall
occur in the board of  directors  by reason of death,  resignation,  removal  or
otherwise,  or if the  authorized  number of directors  shall be increased,  the
directors  then in office  shall  continue to act,  and such  vacancies  (if not
previously  filled  by the  stockholders)  may be filled  by a  majority  of the
directors  then in  office,  although  less than a quorum,  except  that a newly
created  directorship  may be filled only by a majority vote of the entire board
of directors; provided, however, that immediately after filling such vacancy, at
least  two-thirds  (2/3) of the  directors  then holding  office shall have been
elected to such office by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that
at any  time,  other  than the time  preceding  the first  annual  stockholders'
meeting, less than a majority of the directors of the Corporation holding office
at that time were  elected by the  stockholders,  a meeting of the  stockholders
shall be held  promptly  and in any  event  within  60 days for the  purpose  of
electing  directors  to fill any existing  vacancies in the board of  directors,
unless the Securities and Exchange Commission shall by order extend such period.

Section 3.06.  Removal.  At any  stockholders'  meeting duly called,  provided a
quorum is present,  the stockholders may remove any director from office (either
with or  without  cause)  by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of all votes
represented at the meeting,  and at the same meeting a duly qualified  successor
or successors  may be elected to fill any resulting  vacancies by a plurality of
the votes validly cast.

Section  3.07.  Regular  Meetings.  The  meeting of the board of  directors  for
choosing officers and transacting other proper business, and all other meetings,
shall be held at such time and place,  within or outside the state of  Maryland,
as the board may  determine and as provided by  resolution.  Except as otherwise
provided  in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as  amended,  notice of such
meetings need not be given,  following the annual  meeting of  stockholders,  if
any,  provided  that notice of any change in the time or place of such  meetings
shall be sent promptly to each director not present at the meeting at which such
change was made, in the manner provided for notice of special  meetings.  Except
as otherwise  provided  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended,
members  of the board of  directors  or any  committee  designated  thereby  may
participate  in a meeting of such board or  committee  by means of a  conference
telephone or similar communications equipment that allows

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                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

all  persons  participating  in the meeting to hear each other at the same time;
and  participation  by such  means  shall  constitute  presence  in  person at a
meeting.

Section 3.08. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall
be held  whenever  called by the  chairman  of the board or the  president  or a
co-president  (or, in the absence or  disability of the chairman of the board or
the  president  or a  co-president,  by any  officer  or  director,  as  they so
designate)  at the time and place  (within or outside of the State of  Maryland)
specified in the  respective  notice or waivers of notice of such  meetings.  At
least three days before the day on which a special meeting is to be held, notice
of special  meetings,  stating  the time and place,  shall be (a) mailed to each
director at his  residence or regular  place of business or (b) delivered to him
personally  or  transmitted  to him  by  telegraph,  telefax,  telex,  cable  or
wireless.

Section  3.09.  Waiver of Notice.  No notice of any meeting need be given to any
director  who is present at the meeting or who waives  notice of such meeting in
writing (which waiver shall be filed with the records of such  meeting),  either
before or after the time of the meeting.

Section 3.10. Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the board of directors,  the
presence of one-half of the number of directors then in office shall  constitute
a quorum for the  transaction of business,  provided that there shall be present
at least two directors.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors
present may  adjourn the  meeting,  from time to time,  until a quorum  shall be
present. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum  is  present  shall be the  action of the  board of  directors,  unless
concurrence  of a greater  proportion is required for such action by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

Section  3.11.  Action  Without a Meeting.  Except as otherwise  provided in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the board of  directors or of any  committee  thereof
may be taken without a meeting if a written  consent to such action is signed by
all  members  of the board or of such  committee,  as the case may be,  and such
written  consent  is filed  with the  minutes  of  proceedings  of the  board or
committee.

Section 3.12.  Compensation of Directors.  Directors may receive such 
compensation for their services as may from time to time be determined by 
resolution of the board of directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COMMITTEES

Section 4.01. Organization. By resolution adopted by the board of directors, the
board may designate one or more committees of the board of directors,  including
an Executive Committee,  each consisting of at least two directors.  Each member
of a committee  shall be a director and shall hold  committee  membership at the
pleasure of the board.  The chairman of the board,  if any, shall be a member of
the Executive Committee. The board of directors shall have the power at any time
to  change  the  members  of  such  committees  and  to  fill  vacancies  in the
committees.

Section 4.02. Powers of the Executive  Committee.  Unless otherwise  provided by
resolution  of the board of  directors,  when the board of  directors  is not in
session the  Executive  Committee  shall have and may exercise all powers of the
board  of  directors  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation that may lawfully be exercised by an Executive  Committee except the
power to declare a dividend or distribution on stock,  authorize the issuance of
stock,  recommend to stockholders any action requiring  stockholders'  approval,
amend these By-laws, approve any merger or share exchange which does not require
stockholder  approval or approve or terminate any contract  with an  "investment
adviser"  or  "principal  underwriter,"  as  those  terms  are  defined  in  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to take any other action required
by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  to be taken by the board of
directors.  Notwithstanding  the above,  such Executive  Committee may make such
dividend  calculations  and  payments as are  consistent  with  applicable  law,
including Maryland corporate law.

Section  4.03.  Powers of Other  Committees  of the Board of  Directors.  To the
extent  provided by  resolution of the board,  other  committees of the board of
directors  shall have and may  exercise  any of the powers that may  lawfully be
granted to the Executive Committee.

Section  4.04.  Proceedings  and  Quorum.  In  the  absence  of  an  appropriate
resolution  of the board of directors,  each  committee may adopt such rules and
regulations  governing its proceedings,  quorum and manner of acting as it shall
deem proper and  desirable,  provided  that a quorum  shall not be less than two
directors.  In the event any member of any committee is absent from any meeting,
the members  thereof  present at the meeting,  whether or not they  constitute a
quorum,  may appoint a member of the board of  directors  to act in the place of
such absent member.

Section  4.05.  Other  Committees.  The board of  directors  may  appoint  other
committees,  each consisting of one or more persons,  who need not be directors.
Each such  committee  shall have such powers and  perform  such duties as may be
assigned  to it from  time to time by the  board of  directors,  but  shall  not
exercise  any  power  which  may  lawfully  be  exercised  only by the  board of
directors or a committee thereof.

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Officers.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a president or
co-presidents,  a secretary,  and a treasurer,  and may include one or more vice
presidents   (including   executive  and  senior  vice  presidents),   assistant
secretaries or assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof. The board of directors
may, but shall not be required  to,  elect a chairman  and vice  chairman of the
board.

Section  5.02.  Election,  Tenure  and  Qualifications.   The  officers  of  the
Corporation  (except those  appointed  pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof) shall be
elected  by the board of  directors  at its  first  meeting  or such  subsequent
meetings as shall be held prior to its first annual  meeting,  and thereafter at
regular board  meetings,  as required by applicable law. If any officers are not
elected at any annual  meeting,  such officers may be elected at any  subsequent
meetings of the board.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Article V, each
officer  elected by the board of  directors  shall hold office  until his or her
successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any person may hold one or more
offices of the Corporation  except that no one person may serve  concurrently as
both the president or a co-president and vice president. A person who holds more
than one  office in the  Corporation  may not act in more than one  capacity  to
execute,  acknowledge,  or verify an instrument  required by law to be executed,
acknowledged,  or verified by more than one  officer.  The chairman of the board
shall be chosen from among the  directors of the  Corporation  and may hold such
office only so long as he continues to be a director. No other officer need be a
director.

Section 5.03. Vacancies and Newly Created Offices. If any vacancy shall occur in
any office by reason of death, resignation,  removal,  disqualification or other
cause,  or if any new office shall be created,  such  vacancies or newly created
offices  may be filled by the  chairman  of the board at any  meeting or, in the
case of any office created pursuant to Section 5.11 hereof,  by any officer upon
whom such power shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.04.  Removal and Resignation.  At any meeting called for such purpose,
the  Executive  Committee  may remove any officer  from office  (either  with or
without cause) by the affirmative  vote, given at the meeting,  of a majority of
the members of the Committee.  Any officer may resign from office at any time by
delivering a written  resignation to the board of directors,  the president or a
co-president,  the  secretary,  or any  assistant  secretary.  Unless  otherwise
specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 5.05. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if there be such
an officer, shall be the senior officer of the Corporation, shall preside at all
stockholders'  meetings and at all meetings of the board of directors  and shall
be ex officio a member of all  committees  of the board of  directors.  He shall
have such other  powers and perform  such other duties as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the board of directors.

Section 5.06.  Vice Chairman of the Board.  The board of directors may from time
to time elect a vice chairman who shall have such powers and perform such duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors,  chairman
of the board or the  president or a  co-president.  At the request of, or in the
absence or in the event of the disability of the chairman of the board, the vice
chairman  may  perform  all the  duties  of the  chairman  of the  board  or the
president or a  co-president  and, when so acting,  shall have all the powers of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon such respective officers.

Section 5.07. President,  Co-President.  The president or co-presidents shall be
the chief executive officer or co-chief executive officers,  as the case may be,
of the  Corporation  and,  in the  absence of the  chairman of the board or vice
chairman or if no chairman of the board or vice chairman has been chosen,  shall
preside  at all  stockholders'  meetings  and at all  meetings  of the  board of
directors and shall in general exercise the powers and perform the duties of the
chairman of the board. Subject to the supervision of the board of directors, the
president  or the  co-presidents  shall  have  general  charge of the  business,
affairs  and  property  of the  Corporation  and  general  supervision  over its
officers,  employees and agents.  Except as the board of directors may otherwise
order, the president or a co-president may sign in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation  all deeds,  bonds,  contracts,  or  agreements.  The president or a
co-president  shall  exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.

Section 5.08. Vice President. The board of directors may from time to time elect
one or more vice presidents (including executive and senior vice presidents) who
shall  have such  powers  and  perform  such  duties as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the board of directors or the  president or a  co-president.
At the request of, or in the absence or in the event of the  disability  of, the
president or both  co-presidents,  the vice  president  (or, if there are two or
more vice presidents, then the senior of the vice presidents present and able to
act) may perform all the duties of the president or  co-presidents  and, when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the president or co-presidents.

Section 5.09.  Treasurer and Assistant  Treasurers.  The treasurer  shall be the
chief accounting officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge of the
finances and books of account of the Corporation.  The treasurer shall render to
the board of  directors,  whenever  directed  by the  board,  an  account of the
financial condition of the Corporation and of all transactions as treasurer; and
as soon as possible after the close of

                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

each  financial  year he shall make and submit to the board of  directors a like
report  for such  financial  year.  The  treasurer  shall  cause to be  prepared
annually  a full and  complete  statement  of the  affairs  of the  Corporation,
including  a balance  sheet and a  financial  statement  of  operations  for the
preceding  fiscal  year,  which  shall be  submitted  at the  annual  meeting of
stockholders  (when,  and if,  such  meeting  is held) and filed  within 20 days
thereafter at the principal  office of the Corporation in the state of Maryland,
except  that for any year when an annual  meeting of  stockholders  is not held,
such statement of affairs shall be filed at the  Corporation's  principal office
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.  The  treasurer  shall perform
all acts  incidental to the office of  treasurer,  subject to the control of the
board of directors.

Any  assistant  treasurer  may  perform  such  duties  of the  treasurer  as the
treasurer  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
treasurer, may perform all the duties of the treasurer.

Section 5.10. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend to
the giving and serving of all notices of the  Corporation  and shall  record all
proceedings  of the meetings of the  stockholders  and  directors in books to be
kept for that purpose.  The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the
Corporation,  and shall have  responsibility for the records of the Corporation,
including  the stock  books  and such  other  books  and  papers as the board of
directors may direct and such books,  reports,  certificates and other documents
required by law to be kept, all of which shall at all  reasonable  times be open
to  inspection by any  director.  The secretary  shall perform such other duties
which appertain to this office or as may be required by the board of directors.

Any  assistant  secretary  may  perform  such  duties  of the  secretary  as the
secretary  or the board of  directors  may  assign,  and,  in the absence of the
secretary, may perform all the duties of the secretary.

Section 5.11.  Subordinate Officers. The chairman of the board from time to time
may appoint such other officers or agents as he may deem advisable, each of whom
shall have such title,  hold office for such  period,  have such  authority  and
perform such duties as the board of directors may determine. The chairman of the
board from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or agents the power
to  appoint  any such  subordinate  officers  or agents and to  prescribe  their
respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any officer or agent
appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.11 may be removed,
either with or without  cause,  by any  officer  upon whom such power of removal
shall have been conferred by the board of directors.

Section 5.12.  Remuneration.  The salaries or other compensation of the officers
of the  Corporation  shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board
of directors,  except that the board of directors may by resolution  delegate to
any  person  or  group  of  persons  the  power  to fix the  salaries  or  other
compensation of any subordinate  officers or agents appointed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5.11 hereof.

Section 5.13.  Surety  Bonds.  The board of directors may require any officer or
agent of the Corporation to execute a bond (including,  without limitation,  any
bond required by the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  and the rules
and   regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission   promulgated
thereunder)  to the  Corporation in such sum and with such surety or sureties as
the board of directors may determine,  conditioned upon the faithful performance
of his or her duties to the Corporation, including responsibility for negligence
and for the accounting of any of the Corporation's property, funds or securities
that may come into his hands.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                 EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, VOTING OF SECURITIES

Section 6.01.  General.  Subject to the provisions of Sections  5.07,  6.02, and
7.03 hereof, all deeds, documents,  transfers,  contracts,  agreements and other
instruments  requiring  execution  by the  Corporation  shall be  signed  by the
president or a co-president,  a vice president  (including  executive and senior
vice presidents), chairman or vice chairman and by the treasurer or secretary or
an assistant treasurer or an assistant  secretary,  or as the board of directors
may  otherwise,  from time to time,  authorize.  Any such  authorization  may be
general or confined to specific instances.

Section 6.02.  Checks,  Notes,  Drafts,  Etc. So long as the  Corporation  shall
employ  a  custodian  to  keep  custody  of  the  cash  and  securities  of  the
Corporation,  all checks and drafts for the payment of money by the  Corporation
may be  signed  in the  name of the  Corporation  by the  custodian.  Except  as
otherwise  authorized by the board of directors,  all requisitions or orders for
the  assignment  of  securities  standing  in the name of the  custodian  or its
nominee, or for the execution of powers to transfer the same, shall be signed in
the name of the  Corporation  by any two of the  following:  the  president or a
co-president,  vice president  (including executive and senior vice presidents),
treasurer or an assistant treasurer, provided that no one person may sign in the
capacity of two such officers. Promissory notes, checks or drafts payable to the
Corporation  may be endorsed  only to the order of the  custodian or its nominee
and  only  by any  two of the  following:  the  treasurer,  the  president  or a
co-president,  a vice president (including executive and senior vice presidents)
or by such  other  person  or  persons  as shall be  authorized  by the board of
directors,  provided  that no one  person may sign in the  capacity  of two such
officers.

Section 6.03.  Voting of Securities.  Unless otherwise ordered by the board of 
directors, the president or a co-president, or any vice president (including 
executive and senior vice presidents) shall have full power and

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                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

authority on behalf of the  Corporation  to attend and to act and to vote, or in
the name of the  Corporation  to  execute  proxies  to vote,  at any  meeting of
stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock. At any such
meeting such officer  shall possess and may exercise (in person or by proxy) any
and all rights,  powers and privileges  incident to the ownership of such stock.
The board of directors  may by  resolution  from time to time confer like powers
upon any other  person or  persons in  accordance  with the laws of the State of
Maryland.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

Section 7.01.  Certificates  of Stock.  The interest of each  stockholder of the
Corporation  may be, but shall not be required to be,  evidenced by certificates
for  shares  of  stock in such  form  not  inconsistent  with  the  Articles  of
Incorporation  as the board of  directors  may from time to time  authorize.  No
certificate shall be valid unless it is signed in the name of the Corporation by
a president or a  co-president  or a vice  president  and  countersigned  by the
secretary or an assistant  secretary or the treasurer or an assistant  treasurer
of the  Corporation  and sealed with the seal of the  Corporation,  or bears the
facsimile  signatures of such officers and a facsimile of such seal. In case any
officer who shall have signed any such certificate, or whose facsimile signature
has been placed  thereon,  shall cease to be such an officer  (because of death,
resignation or otherwise)  before such  certificate is issued,  such certificate
may be issued and  delivered  by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he
were such officer at the date of issue.

The number of each certificate issued, the name and address of the person owning
the  shares  represented  thereby,  the  number of such  shares  and the date of
issuance  shall be entered upon the stock ledger of the  Corporation at the time
of issuance.

Every certificate exchanged, surrendered for redemption or otherwise returned to
the Corporation shall be marked "canceled" with the date of cancellation.

Section  7.02.   Transfer  of  Shares.   Shares  of  the  Corporation  shall  be
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof (in
person or by his duly  authorized  attorney  or legal  representative)  (a) if a
certificate or  certificates  have been issued,  upon surrender duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and transfer, with such proof of
the  authenticity  of  the  signature  as the  Corporation  or  its  agents  may
reasonably  require,  or (b) as otherwise  prescribed by the board of directors.
Except as  otherwise  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation,  the shares of
stock of the Corporation may be freely  transferred,  subject to the charging of
customary  transfer  fees,  and the board of directors  may,  from time to time,
adopt  rules and  regulations  with  reference  to the method of transfer of the
shares of stock of the Corporation.  The Corporation  shall be entitled to treat
the holder of record of any share of stock as the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes,  and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal,  equitable
or other  claim or  interest  in such  share  on the part of any  other  person,
whether  or not it  shall  have  express  or other  notice  thereof,  except  as
otherwise expressly provided by law or the statutes of the State of Maryland.

Section 7.03.  Transfer Agents and  Registrars.  The board of directors may from
time to time appoint or remove  transfer  agents or  registrars of transfers for
shares of stock of the  Corporation,  and it may appoint the same person as both
transfer  agent  and  registrar.  Upon  any  such  appointment  being  made  all
certificates  representing  shares of capital stock  thereafter  issued shall be
countersigned  by one of such  transfer  agents or by one of such  registrars of
transfers or by both and shall not be valid unless so countersigned. If the same
person shall be both transfer agent and registrar,  only one countersignature by
such person shall be required.

Section 7.04. Fixing of Record Date. The board of directors may fix in advance a
date as a record  date for the  determination  of the  stockholders  entitled to
notice of or to vote at any stockholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof, or
to express  consent to  corporate  action in  writing  without a meeting,  or to
receive  payment of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any
rights,  or to  exercise  any  rights in respect of any  change,  conversion  or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,  provided that
(a) such  record  date  shall be within  90 days  prior to the date on which the
particular  action  requiring such  determination  will be taken,  except that a
meeting  of  stockholders  convened  on the date for which it was  called may be
adjourned  from time to time without  further notice to a date not more than 120
days after the original  record date; (b) the transfer books shall not be closed
for a  period  longer  than  20  days;  and  (c) in the  case  of a  meeting  of
stockholders,  the record  date shall be at least 10 days before the date of the
meeting.

Section  7.05.  Lost,  Stolen or Destroyed  Certificates.  Before  issuing a new
certificate  for stock of the Corporation  alleged to have been lost,  stolen or
destroyed, the board of directors or any officer authorized by the board may, in
its discretion,  require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed  certificate
(or his legal representative) to give the Corporation a bond or other indemnity,
in such form and in such amount as the board or any such  officer may direct and
with such  surety or sureties  as may be  satisfactory  to the board or any such
officer,  sufficient to indemnify the Corporation  against any claim that may be
made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.



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                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                        CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Section  8.01.  Validity  of  Contract  or  Transactions.  In the event that any
officer  or  director  of the  Corporation  shall have any  interest,  direct or
indirect,  in any other firm,  association or corporation as officer,  employee,
director or stockholder, no transaction or contract made by the Corporation with
any such other  firm,  association  or  corporation  shall be valid  unless such
interest shall have been disclosed or made known to all of the directors or to a
majority of the  directors  and such  transaction  or  contract  shall have been
approved by a majority of a quorum of directors, which majority shall consist of
directors not having any such interest or a majority of the directors in office,
including directors having such an interest.

Section  8.02.  Dealings.  No officer,  director or employee of the  Corporation
shall deal for or on behalf of the  Corporation  with  himself,  as principal or
agent,  or with any  corporation  or  partnership  in  which he has a  financial
interest, except that:

         (a) Such prohibition shall not prevent officers, directors or employees
         of the Corporation from having a financial interest in the Corporation,
         or the sponsor,  or a distributor of the shares of the Corporation,  or
         the investment manager or counsel of the Corporation;

         (b) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase of securities for
         the portfolio of the Corporation or the sale of securities owned by the
         Corporation through a securities broker, one or more of whose partners,
         officers  or  directors  is an  officer,  director  or  employee of the
         Corporation,  provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of
         broker,  only,  and  provided  they are  performed in  accordance  with
         applicable law;

         (c) Such prohibition shall not prevent the employment of legal counsel,
         registrar,  transfer agent,  dividend disbursing agent, or custodian or
         trustee  having a  partner,  officer  or  director  who is an  officer,
         director or employee of the  Corporation,  provided only customary fees
         are charged for services rendered for the benefit of the Corporation;

         (d) Such  prohibition  shall not prevent the purchase for the portfolio
         of the Corporation of securities issued by an issuer having an officer,
         director or security holder who is an officer,  director or employee of
         the  Corporation  or of  the  manager  or  investment  counsel  of  the
         Corporation,  unless at the time of such  purchase  one or more of such
         officers,  directors or employees owns  beneficially more than one-half
         of one per cent (1/2%) of the shares or  securities,  or both,  of such
         issuer and such  officers,  directors  and  employees  owning more than
         one-half of one per cent (1/2%) of such shares or  securities  together
         own  beneficially  more  than  five per  cent  (5%) of such  shares  or
         securities.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                           FISCAL YEAR AND ACCOUNTANT

Section 9.01.  Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall, unless 
otherwise ordered by the board of directors, be twelve calendar months ending on
the 31st day of December.

Section 9.02.  Accountant.  The Corporation  shall employ an independent  public
accountant or a firm of  independent  public  accountants  as its  accountant to
examine  the  accounts  of the  Corporation  and to sign and  certify  financial
statements filed by the Corporation.  The accountant's  certificates and reports
shall be addressed both to the board of directors and to the  stockholders.  The
employment  of the  accountant  shall  be  conditioned  upon  the  right  of the
Corporation to terminate the employment forthwith without any penalty by vote of
a majority of the outstanding  voting  securities at any  stockholders'  meeting
called for that purpose.

A majority  of the  members of the board of  directors  who are not  "interested
persons" (as defined in the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the
Corporation  shall  select the  accountant  at any  meeting  held within 90 days
before or after the  beginning of the fiscal year of the  Corporation  or before
the annual  stockholders'  meeting (if any) in that year. The selection shall be
submitted  for   ratification  or  rejection  at  the  next  succeeding   annual
stockholders'  meeting,  if  any,  when  and if such  meeting  is  held.  If the
selection  is  rejected at that  meeting,  the  accountant  shall be selected by
majority vote of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities,  either at the
meeting  at  which  the  rejection  occurred  or  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of
stockholders called for the purpose of selecting an accountant.

Any vacancy  occurring  between  annual  meetings,  if any,  due to the death or
resignation  of the  accountant  may be filled by the vote of a majority  of the
members of the board of directors who are not interested persons.


                                    ARTICLE X
                              CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

Section 10.01.  Employment of a Custodian.  Unless otherwise  required by law or
the Articles of Incorporation,  all securities and cash owned by the Corporation
from time to time shall be deposited with and held by a

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                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997

custodian  or  subcustodian  qualified  to act as such in  accordance  with  the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section  10.02.  Termination  of Custodian  Agreement.  Upon  termination of the
agreement  for services  with the  custodian  or  inability of the  custodian to
continue to serve,  the board of directors  shall  promptly  appoint a successor
custodian, but in the event that no successor custodian can be found who has the
required  qualifications  and is willing to serve,  the board of directors shall
call as promptly as possible a special meeting of the  stockholders to determine
whether  the  Corporation  shall  function  without  a  custodian  or  shall  be
liquidated. If so directed by resolution of the board of directors or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Corporation held by
it as specified in such vote.

Section 10.03.  Provisions of Custodian  Contract.  The board of directors shall
cause to be delivered to the custodian all securities  owned by the  Corporation
or to which it may become entitled,  and shall order the same to be delivered by
the custodian only in completion of a sale, exchange, transfer, pledge, or other
disposition thereof, all as the board of directors may generally or from time to
time require to approve or to a successor custodian;  and the board of directors
shall  cause  all  funds  owned by the  Corporation  or to  which it may  become
entitled to be paid to the  custodian,  and shall order the same  disbursed only
for investment  against  delivery of the securities  acquired,  or in payment of
expenses, including management compensation, and liabilities of the Corporation,
including distributions to shareholders, or to a successor custodian.

Section 10.04.  Other Arrangements.  The Corporation may make such other
arrangements for the custody of its assets (including deposit arrangements) as 
may be required by any applicable law, rule or regulation.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Section 11.01. Indemnification of Officers, Directors,  Employees and Agents. In
accordance with applicable law, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and Maryland Corporate law, the Corporation shall indemnify each person
who was or is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director,  officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation  as a  director,  officer,
employee, partner, trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise,  against all reasonable expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually incurred, and judgments,  fines, penalties and amounts
paid in  settlement  in connection  with such  Proceeding to the maximum  extent
permitted  by law,  now  existing  or  hereafter  adopted.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the following provisions shall apply with respect to indemnification
of the Corporation's directors,  officers, and investment manager (as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended):

         (a)  Whether  or not  there is an  adjudication  of  liability  in such
         Proceeding, the Corporation shall not indemnify any such person for any
         liability arising by reason of such person's willful  misfeasance,  bad
         faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties involved
         in the conduct of his or her office or under any  contract or agreement
         with the Corporation ("disabling conduct").

         (b) The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person unless:

                  (1) the court or other body before  which the  Proceeding  was
                  brought (a)  dismisses the  Proceeding  for  insufficiency  of
                  evidence  of any  disabling  conduct,  or (b)  reaches a final
                  decision  on the  merits  that such  person  was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct; or

                  (2) absent  such a decision,  a  reasonable  determination  is
                  made,  based upon a review of the facts,  by (a) the vote of a
                  majority of a quorum of the directors of the  Corporation  who
                  are neither  interested  persons of the Corporation as defined
                  in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor parties
                  to the Proceeding, or (b) if such quorum is not obtainable, or
                  even if  obtainable,  if a majority  of a quorum of  directors
                  described  above so directs,  based upon a written  opinion by
                  independent legal counsel,  that such person was not liable by
                  reason of disabling conduct.

         (c)  Reasonable  expenses  (including   attorneys'  fees)  incurred  in
         defending a  Proceeding  involving  any such person will be paid by the
         Corporation  in  advance  of the  final  disposition  thereof  upon  an
         undertaking  by  such  person  to  repay  such  expenses  unless  it is
         ultimately  determined  that he or she is entitled to  indemnification,
         if:

                  (1)  such person shall provide adequate security for his or
                       her undertaking;

                  (2) the Corporation shall be insured against losses arising by
                      reason of such advance; or

                  (3) a majority of a quorum of the directors of the Corporation
                  who are  neither  interested  persons  of the  Corporation  as
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor

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                                            Midas Fund, Inc.
                                            By-laws As Amended December 11, 1997


                  parties to the Proceeding,  or independent  legal counsel in a
                  written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily
                  available  facts,  that there is reason to  believe  that such
                  person will be found to be entitled to indemnification.

Section  11.02.  Insurance of Officers,  Directors,  Employees  and Agents.  The
Corporation   may  purchase  and   maintain   insurance  or  other   sources  of
reimbursement  to the extent  permitted by law on behalf of any person who is or
was a  director,  officer,  employee or agent of the  Corporation,  or is or was
serving at the  request of the  Corporation  as a director,  officer,  employee,
partner,  trustee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other enterprise  against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in or arising out of his position.

Section 11.03. Non-exclusivity.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided  by,  or  granted  pursuant  to,  this  Article  XI shall not be deemed
exclusive  of any  other  rights  to  which  those  seeking  indemnification  or
advancement  of expenses may be entitled  under the  Articles of  Incorporation,
these By-Laws,  agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both
as to  action  in his or her  official  capacity  and as to  action  in  another
capacity while holding such office.

Section 11.04. Amendment. No amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article or
the adoption, alteration or amendment of any other provisions to the Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws  inconsistent  with this Article shall adversely affect
any right or protection of any person under this Article with respect to any act
or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment,  alteration, repeal or
adoption.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   AMENDMENTS

Section 12.01. General.  Except as provided in Section 12.02 of this Article XII
and  subject  to the  provisions  concerning  stockholder  voting in  Article II
hereof,  all  By-laws  of the  Corporation,  whether  adopted  by the  board  of
directors or the  stockholders,  shall be subject to  amendment,  alteration  or
repeal,  and new By-laws may be made by the affirmative vote of either:  (a) the
holders  of  record  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of stock of the
Corporation  entitled to vote, at any meeting, the notice or waiver of notice of
which shall have  specified or summarized  the proposed  amendment,  alteration,
repeal or new By-law; or (b) a majority of directors,  at any meeting the notice
or waiver of notice of which shall have  specified  or  summarized  the proposed
amendment, alteration, repeal or new By-law.

Section  12.02.  By  Stockholders  Only.  No  amendment  of any section of these
By-laws  shall be made  except by the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  if the
By-laws provide that such section may not be amended, altered or repealed except
by the  stockholders.  From and after the  issuance of any shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation no amendment,  alteration or repeal of this Article XII
shall be made except by the stockholders of the Corporation.


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